Mules come up short in state baseball

By Diana Zimmerman

The Wahkiakum Mule baseball team's season ended with a 6-4 loss to LaConner in the opening round of the state tournament on Saturday.

Joey Moore went 2-3 on offense and drove in one run. Zach Brown was 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Hank Ferguson went 1-3 and drove in one run.

Starting pitcher Z. Brown took the loss. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, two of which were earned and three hits. He struck out nine and walked five.

James Anderson stepped in to provide relief in the fifth inning. He allowed one earned run and two hits. He struck out two and walked one.

"The goal was to make it to regionals this year, and we did that," Coach Marc Niemeyer said. "We reset goals and wanted to make the final four but came up a little short. I am extremely proud of the men and their commitment to baseball. We will be back next year and more hungry.

"I want to thank my seniors for being a big part of changing the culture of baseball," Niemeyer continued. "The most rewarding piece is that we have a great group of young men that will contribute to any community they should become part of."

This was the final season for seniors Joey Moore and Colton Mace.