Bombers Fall to Braves Again - by Mooyoun Kim
One of the engrossing things about sports is that when one team wins a championship, their rival often comes back the next year “out for blood.” That seems to be the case between Richland and Kamiakin in baseball--after the Bombers had a perfect state championship season last year, the Braves came into 2025 looking for a ring of their own. The residents of LaPierre Field had been ranked second in WIAA’s 4A RPI for most of the year and trounced the green and gold in Kennewick last Tuesday, improving their resume and making a push to catch the current king, nationally ranked Puyallup, in the rankings. While that victory definitely felt good for Steve Woods’ squad, it was just one of many. As senior utilityman Tommy Lamb put it, “We like to take things one game at a time, and we don’t want to make games bigger than they should be.” The Braves followed up that game with a Friday doubleheader against Pasco, but the Bombers were on their schedule again the following Tuesday. The experienced Grant Richardson was sure to make adjustments to his young team and show up in the second matchup of the season.
After seeing the starting pitchers for both sides, one could assume that both would “shove” that day and make the game a low-scoring affair. Ready in the red and black was WSU commit Taron Carlson, and Richland would feature ace Michael Revell, who scouts at Prep Baseball Report described as having “run his fastball up into the low 90s and is also a quality lefty bat.” And to no one’s surprise, the first few innings went scoreless.
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| Photo: Lit Media Productions |
In the bottom of the fourth, Jackson Woodard came up to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. A ground ball to short initially frightened everyone following the Bombers, but luckily second baseman Zach Vega was not quick enough to turn the 6-4-3 double play. That gave RHS a 1-0 lead for the moment but not for long.
The next half inning, Tanner Davis was at bat for the Braves with runners at second and third. Unfortunately, that was when Revell was charged with a run-allowing wild pitch, but damage was limited because Davis would end up grounding out to second. “Big Mike” would go six innings, giving up five hits and one earned run, walking three, and punching out eight. Carlson would last 4 IP with 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 4 SO.
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| Photo: Lit Media Productions |
After two more quiet innings, the top of the seventh did not start any differently. Landen Hall grounded out to the six-hole, Tyson Grillo singled to center, and Lamb popped out to preseason all-state catcher Hayden Galloway. Then, things went downhill for the home team. Grillo stole second and then took off again on the next pitch. Galloway’s throw down was errant, letting in Kamiakin’s go-ahead run to make the score 2-1.
Dylan Howard, who had worked the sixth for KaHS, was back on the bump to close the door in the seventh. After a leadoff groundout, RHS seemed to have a chance when right fielder Colson Mackey reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a passed ball. But that hope disappeared quickly, as Dylan Parrott was caught looking and Carter Upmeyer struck out swinging to end the game. The Braves were pumped up by the final out, as demonstrated by Howard having some words toward the Bomber dugout.
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| Photo: Lit Media Productions |
With Kamiakin sweeping the season series against Richland, it will be interesting to see how the 4A District 6 Tournament will play out. The team led by Woods will be nearly guaranteed the MCC title, followed by the defending state champions. From the GSL, Oregon State commit Anthony Karis and the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups will be looking on. Also, one cannot forget about the Hanford Falcons, who split with Richland with an exposing 10-2 victory in the second matchup. With only two spots to state, time will tell how four contenders will do.
But if there is anything the historic Bombers team from last year told us, it is that anything can happen if one believes in himself and his teammates.
Kamiakin (13-1 MCC, 16-2 overall) finishes the regular season with a home doubleheader against Southridge on Friday at 4 and 6 p.m. The Braves only need to win one of the two for the conference crown. Richland (11-3, 12-5) visits Walla Walla, also for a Friday doubleheader, to conclude their conference play.
All photos: Lit Media Productions
