Things weren’t looking great for I-5 Jeep Renegades in the Single-A American Legion semifinals against Northern Lakes Tuesday in Chehalis.
The Renegades fell behind 7-3 after briefly taking a lead heading into the fifth, but thanks to a six-run inning in the top of the fifth, they held off the Mountaineers, 10-8, to advance to the state championship round.
After a scoreless first two innings, the Renegades struck first in the top of the third, after a couple of walks loaded the bases and a pair of groundouts advanced Luke Mohney and Cal Bullock to home plate for a pair of runs, and Brooks Ledgerwood scored on a wild pitch.
That lead, however, was brief. The Mountaineers dropped six runs on the board in the bottom of the third, and putting four on the board before the Renegades could manage a first out. Northern Lakes tacked on one more run for good measure in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead heading to the fifth.
But then the Renegades made their push, just like their first game of the tournament — a game in which they came back from a five-run deficit.
The Renegades again loaded the bases, thanks to two walks to start the inning and a hit batter. After a pitching change, Miles Martin tripled to score three runs on a line drive to right. Jack Nelson’s ensuing single scored Martin to tie the game in the blink of an eye.
But the Renegades weren’t done, after Alex Stafford’s double, Brooks Ledgerwood singled to score both Nelson and Stafford to take a two-run lead.
Ledgerwood drove in another insurance run in the seventh, and the Renegades held off a late push to dispatch the Mountaineers in seven innings.
Martin started on the mound and nearly threw a complete game, pitching 6 ⅔ innings before reaching his pitch count after starting the first game of the tournament for the Renegades. Despite having difficulties in the sixth inning, Martin buckled down and finished with seven strikeouts. Carlos Vallejo recorded the last out on the bump.
Bullock drew three walks in the leadoff hole with two runs scored, Martin drove in three runs on two hits at the plate, and Ledgerwood added three RBIs on two hits. Weston Potter also drew two walks with an RBI and a run scored.
The Renegades will play Wilder in the first game of the championship round at 3 p.m. Wednesday. If the Renegades win that loser-out contest, they would play the North Idaho Lakers 30 minutes after the close of the first game.
The Renegades have played both teams already in the tournament, dispatching Wilder in the second round, 8-0, and falling to North Idaho, 8-5, Monday night.
