Quality Pitching Gives Zillah 2 Wins over Goldendale on Senior Day
Zillah Baseball wrapped up their in-conference season Saturday afternoon with back to back wins over Goldendale.
The first match-up featured an 11-0 thumping. Zillah's senior ace Drew Van Kemseke went the distance, going seven innings for the win.
Zillah's first run on the afternoon came in the second inning, on an unlikely steal of home. The powerfully built 5-11 225lb Brian Calhoun was able to get just under the tag, after the ball rolled all the way to the backstop.
"I didn't tag up on the previous sac fly, and coach wasn't too happy about that. So I just put it on myself to find a way to score," said a laughing Calhoun.
Goldendale's starting pitcher Alex Mains kept Zillah's lineup down the first four innings, allowing just three runs.
But it all fell apart for Mains in the fifth inning, as five Zillah batters scored.
The rally was capped by a Kamren Hathaway three-run homer to left-field; forcing the mercy rule, and a Zillah win.
Sophomore Ben Kibbe would start the second game. He also tossed a complete game; going five innings while allowing one unearned run in a 11-1 throttling.
Zillah bats would jump all over Goldendale early. Junior Kaden Magana and senior Eric Greene led off the first inning with back to back doubles, which led to both of them scoring.
In the second inning, Zillah catcher Ryan Hernandez and Kaden Magana would start the inning with back to back triples, triggering another four run rally.
As six more Zillah runners scored in the third, Coach Matt Brown began deploying his bench into the game.
It was a special day for Zillah seniors, as they would be playing their final two games at Zillah's home field.
Three of the five seniors (Drew Van Kemseke, Kamren Hathaway, and Eric Greene) have been starting under Coach Brown since 2015. They have all been key cogs during Zillah's torrid four year stretch.
"We're going to lose some key players, and they're a great group of kids," said Coach Brown. "It's emotional obviously, but at the same time we know this is far from over."
Senior leader Drew Van Kemseke has been first time all-conference three times, and will likely earn another honor this season. He gave his thoughts on what it's meant to him to put on the Zillah uniform.
"It's been a great experience," said Van Kemseke. "we have the best coaches around in my opinion. They've really instilled hard work in us, all of us here have strived to re-define the program."
Zillah will have one more non conference game this Thursday against Brewster. The Regional playoffs begin May 19th.