Juniors comeback falls short at state

Scappoose thumps Central Point, but falls in semifinals

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Aug 4, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

John Brewington / The South County Spotlight

OUT AT HOME—Scappoose’s Kyle Kramer tags out a Central Point runner who attempted to go home on a passed ball. Catcher Paul Revis back-flipped the ball to Kramer. Scappoose won the game 12-0.

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The Scappoose Juniors had hoped to advance at least one game further in the Little League State Tournament and get another shot at Cascade, but their season ended on Friday with an 8-6 loss to Reynolds.

Scappoose Manager Joe Backus had coached the group of incoming freshmen since they were minors. He was disappointed with the loss, but not in the team’s performance at state.

“We played really well our first game (of the tournament) and played well against Central Point. But we made a few too many mistakes against Reynolds from coaching on down and just couldn’t quite comeback. We left a few runs and gave up a few too many, but I thought we played pretty well overall. We improved tremendously from the first day of practice, bringing two teams together.

He said all the players had some good moments in the district and state tournaments. “Every game was a team effort from pitching to defense to big hits. No one stood out all the time, from the top of our order to bottom of order.”

Reynolds 8, Scappoose 6

Scappoose made a late charge at unbeaten Reynolds, but couldn’t quite catch the Raiders during an 8-6 loss in the semifinals of the state tournament at Southridge High School in Beaverton.

After falling behind 8-2 midway through the game, Scappoose made a dent in the lead on JoJo Duran’s RBI-double in the fifth inning.

Scappoose continued to close in during their next at-bats when Kody Backus and Kyle Durvin drew back-to-back walks to start the sixth inning. Teammate Branden Tardif made it count with a two-run double that sailed over the centerfielder’s head, and Duran followed with an RBI-single to make the score 8-6.

But that’s as close as Scappoose would get, as Reynolds’ first baseman Lane Evans made a tough catch on a line-drive near his ear to end the inning. The Raiders sent Scappoose down in order in the seventh, highlighted when relief pitcher Mike Mishima made a diving catch from the mound, snagging the ball just inches off the grass.

Reynolds advanced to face Pool B winner Cascade in Saturday’s championship game, but would lose, 11-6.

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