Despite getting just one hit, committing five errors, and seeing their starting pitcher walk 10 batters in less than three innings, the Kayhi baseball team still managed to hang around and make things interesting before falling 8-5 to Sitka in the first round of the Region V Tournament in Juneau on Thursday.
It was a game with some unique stat lines as the teams combined for 13 runs despite just six hits. Both starting pitchers walked 10, although Sitka's starter, Ben Turner, still came within two outs of pitching a complete game.
Trailing 8-1 entering the top of the seventh, and having been no-hit through the first six innings, the Kings scored four runs, and had the tying run on deck with one out, before Sitka reliever Bryce Calhoun came in to get the final two outs and close the door on the Kings.
Kayhi's only hit of the game was a deeply hit double by Bubba Williams that plated two runs in the top of the seventh and made the score 8-5. Williams was stranded at second base, however, as Calhoun got a strike out and a fly out to end the game.
The Kings' seventh-inning rally began with Hayden Trudeau getting hit by a pitch. Then, with one out, Jesse Albecker, Thomas Kroscavage and Colby Hanchey drew consecutive walks to drive in one run and load the bases. After a second run scored on a passed ball, Williams drove in two more with his double, but it wasn't enough for the Kings to dig out of the early hole they found themselves in.
Kayhi trailed 7-0 after three innings. Kayhi held Sitka to only one more run the rest of the game, but was only able to scratch one run across the plate itself before its seventh-inning rally.
Bubba Williams manufactured a run in the sixth inning to get the Kings on the board.
Williams drew a lead-off walk, stole second, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on another passed ball as Kayhi put a run up without yet having a hit in the contest. In fact, the Kings put three runs on the board before Williams delivered the team's first and only hit.
It was a tough start to the game for Kayhi as starting pitcher Colby Hanchey walked 10 batters and allowed three hits, while the defense behind him committed three errors, in just 2 2/3 innings.
The Kings were somewhat fortunate to only allow seven runs in the first three innings, as Sitka stranded eight runners on base. The Wolves ended up leaving 12 runners on base in the game.
Ridge Summers pitched 3 2/3 innings of effective relief for Kayhi. Summers allowed one run on two hits.
Williams was the only batter to have any success for the Kings, hitting a double, driving in two runs, scoring a run and walking twice. Ben Phillips and Hanchey also drew a pair of walks.
In Thursday's other opening-round game, Juneau-Douglas stopped Thunder Mountain 11-7.
Ketchikan plays Thunder Mountain in an elimination game at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Juneau meets Sitka in a winner's bracket contest at 6 p.m.