Richland won a state title in the fall. Could this weekend bring another?

Leadership is something you cannot coach, but Richland coach Grant Richardson has not had to worry about that aspect of his team this spring.

Seniors Adam Weissenfels and Josh Mendoza, who helped lead the Bombers football team to a state title in December, have embraced the role.

"It has been great," Richardson said. "Guys listen to them. Not just Josh and Adam; we have a whole group of seniors who take ownership. They know what it takes. You can't put a price on guys who have been on that stage."

The Bombers (16-10) will play Federal Way (17-7) at 10 a.m. Friday in the 4A state semifinal at Gesa Stadium in Pasco. Skyview (21-5) and Wenatchee (17-7) will meet in the other semifinal. The winner will meet at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Richland has a rich baseball tradition, having won four state titles (1999, 2005, '07, '09) and placing eight times since 2002.

According to Mendoza, who plays right field, the Bombers have the tools to compete for another title.

"The biggest thing is having faith in the guys," he said. "The coaches have done a good job preparing us. We just have to play our game. We have guys who can be a star every game. We just have to keep it rolling. It's not about who is best, but who plays the best."

The Bombers may not be in the position they are if not for Mendoza making a diving snag in the quarterfinals against Todd Beamer.

"It was a left-handed batter and he pulled the ball to the right-center gap," Mendoza recalled of his fifth-inning heroics. "I dove for it at the warning track for the third out. They had a guy on second and were were down 2-0.

"All we needed was a spark — my name was called."

The Bombers went on to win 6-2 to advance.

"I know what it's like to put a ring on my finger and hang a banner in the gym," Mendoza said. "I want these guys to know that feeling too. Coach is always telling us to play every game like it's our last. Guys are stepping up throughout the lineup and getting it done."

Weissenfels, who reports to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on June 26, said he's trying to make the most of the time he has left in high his school sports career.

"I know Josh is a natural leader, and I try to carry myself the same way," he said. "Having experienced and knowing what it takes in football, we have brought that to baseball. This is crazy. People rarely win a state championship, but to have a chance to win two is unreal.

"We put in the work and we want to win the baseball (title) too."

Weissenfels' dad, Bob, was a Navy man after he was a standout football player at Hanford High School. When the family moved back to the Tri-Cities, Adam was inspired by his dad's photo, in his Navy uniform, on the Hanford Wall of Fame.

"I saw how special that was," he said. "That was something I wanted to do. My mom (Kelly) went to Richland and she won that argument when it came to which school I went to."

Which was good for the Bombers, who are having an amazing year. Richland's boys basketball team also made it to the state semifinals.

"This is one of the best classes of athletes at Richland," Weissenfels said. "We are leaving our mark on a school that that has so much tradition, and to leave our mark the way we have is super special."

This story was originally published May 24, 2018 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Richland won a state title in the fall. Could this weekend bring another?."