It was a battle of NWAC Baseball powerhouse programs in Everett CC and the hosts Lower Columbia College. The Red Devils and Trojans have a combined five championship game appearances in the last six years, and the two programs last went head to head back in 2017 where the Red Devils came out on top with a 5-1 victory. Last year the Lower Columbia faced Everett in the opening round and sent the Trojans to the loser's bracket before going on to win their second consecutive championship.
Everett got on the board early in the 2nd inning when catcher, Nick Klemp was hit by a pitch and then proceeded to make his way all the way to 3rd on two wild pitches. The next batter Kenny McCormick singled, scoring Klemp which would prove to be an important run. Both starting pitchers were in a groove for the next three innings, both not allowing a run. Lower Columbia tied the game in the 6th when they had bases loaded with only one out. A ground ball scored on a fielder's choice but the Trojans prevented any further damage by picking off a base runner on a wild play to end the inning.
In the top of the 9th Everett punched across the go ahead run after a wild pitch by the Red Devil closer to take a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 9th.
Starting pitcher for the Trojans Zach Boswell went 8 complete innings striking out 7 and only allowing 1 earned run. Three outs from victory closing pitcher Gabe Smith entered the game. With one out and two runners on Smith struck out the batter and catcher Nick Klemp fired a ball to 3rd catching the baserunner in a pickle and 2nd baseman Austin Hauck applied the tag to end the game.
Everett advances to the final game between the last remaining unbeaten teams in the tournament. They will face Tacoma Community College tonight at 5:35pm. Tacoma has defeated Edmonds 5-2 and Spokane 6-2 in route to this game. Win or lose both teams will match up on Sunday against the other two teams remaining unbeaten. For Everett it could be Linn-Benton, Mt. Hood, or Spokane. For Tacoma it will be Lower Columbia or Mt. Hood.