Prep baseball: Lynnwood falls to Bainbridge 3-0 in regional championship game

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Lynnwood’s Carson Hoerner sprints to first base during the Region 1 championship game Saturday at Dream Field in Mount Vernon. (Photos by David Pan)

Lynnwood came up a game short of advancing to the Class 3A state baseball semifinals.

But it wasn’t for the lack of trying.

Trailing 3-0 to Bainbridge, Lynnwood put two runners on base and brought the tying run to the plate before Spartan starter Trent Schulte recorded the final out with a strikeout to preserve the victory in the Region 1 championship game Saturday at Skagit Valley College’s Dream Field in Mount Vernon.

The Royals (18-7) defeated Auburn Riverside 4-1 in a regional game immediately preceding the finals. Bainbridge (20-2) edged Ferndale 4-3 earlier in the day.

Lynnwood's Jared Whitman looks for the sign from catcher Brady Girgus during a Region 1 game against Auburn Riverside Saturday at Dream Field in Mount Vernon.
Lynnwood’s Jared Whitman looks for the sign from catcher Brady Girgus during a Region 1 game against Auburn Riverside Saturday at Dream Field in Mount Vernon.

Lynnwood coach Fraser Dizard told his players to keep their heads high following the season-ending loss.

“We had a great season,” Dizard said. “I was proud of them. I think they played their butts off. That’s the way baseball goes. Sometimes you can’t win every game.

The Royals suffered a little bad luck when starting pitcher Lucas Jungmann, who pitched a 3-0 shutout victory over Shorewood in the district title game a week ago, exited the game in the third inning due to arm tenderness. Jungmann gave up an RBI double to Schulte in the inning prior to leaving.

“I think he’s all right. His arm was a little tender before the game,” Dizard said. “That was one of the reasons he didn’t start the first game. But it was just more of a precautionary thing. His arm had not been feeling too great the last few days. I think he’s fine.”

Shortstop Kyler McMahan replaced Jungmann on the mound and recorded the final two outs of the third inning, stranding Schulte on second base. McMahan, however issued a pair of walks to Jack O’Neill and David Wellbrock in the fourth inning that hurt Lynnwood. O’Neill scored on a single by Brice Koslosky and Wellbrock scored on a single by Blake Swanson. McMahan limited the damage to only those two runs despite having the bases loaded with one out.

“Kyler came in and did a good job and got out of a jam,” Dizard said.

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Lynnwood’s Kyler McMahan swings at a pitch.

But the lack of offense obviously was the Royals’ downfall. “You can’t win if you can’t score a run,” Dizard said.

Schulte mixed up his pitches well.

“He’s not an overpowering guy,” Dizard said. “He did something right. We only got four hits and a couple of them were pretty weak. He did a good job for them. I’m guessing he’s done a good job all year.”

Also advancing to the state semifinals in the other bracket was Shorewood, which defeated Auburn Mountainview 7-4 in the Region II finals.

Sophomore Jared Whitman pitched a complete-game to lead Lynnwood to the victory over Auburn Riverside. Whitman struck out five and walked only one batter.

The Royals scored a pair of runs in the first inning on an RBI triple by McMahan and an RBI ground out by Lawton Manipon. Then in the third, Carson Hoerner tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Brice Foster walked and eventually also scored on a wild pitch.

Lynnwood will graduate nine seniors, many of whom who played under Dizard when he was first hired as the junior varsity coach four years ago.

“It’s been a fun four years. It’s been a good ride,” Dizard said. “Life will go on. Look back on this and enjoy the memories.”

– By David Pan

Lynnwood's Lawton Manipon (6) and Kyler McMahan (14) are greeted by teammates after McMahan scored on a ground out by Manipon against Auburn Riverside.
Lynnwood’s Lawton Manipon (6) and Kyler McMahan (14) are greeted by teammates after McMahan scored on a ground out by Manipon against Auburn Riverside.
Lynnwood's Bobby Graham and Lawton Manipon (right) share a huge after the Royals' 3-0 loss to Bainbridge.
Lynnwood’s Bobby Graham and Lawton Manipon (right) share a huge after the Royals’ 3-0 loss to Bainbridge.

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