ALL-CITY BASEBALL: Beamer’s first-ever state berth leads to numerous roster spots

Matt Bower, Beamer — The left-handed senior was pretty much unhittable and led the Titans into the Class 4A state playoffs for the first time in school history. Beamer eventually finished in fourth place.

Pitchers

Matt Bower, Beamer

The left-handed senior was pretty much unhittable and led the Titans into the Class 4A state playoffs for the first time in school history. Beamer eventually finished in fourth place.

Bower, who will pitch next season at Washington State University, finished with a 6-3 record and an earned-run average under 1.00 on the season. Bower  had 81 strikeouts in just 56 1/3 innings pitched and walked only 17. Bower also threw four complete-game shutouts during the season, including a no-hitter against Curtis when he struck out 15.

Bower has been selected to play in the All-State Washington games this weekend in Yakima. Since Beamer graduates on Saturday, Bower will only be able to play in Sunday’s games.

Scott Sunitsch, Beamer

The sophomore was the Titans’ No. 2 starter behind Bower all season and finished with a perfect 4-0 record, including a win over Puyallup at the district tournament.

Sunitsch finished with a 3.97 era in 30 innings pitched and struck out 24.

Janson Junk, Decatur

The sophomore won four of the six total games the Gators won this season and helped Decatur make a miraculous postseason run to within one win of the state tournament. Junk finished 4-3 on the year and had a 3.41 ERA in 51 1/3 innings pitched. He had 51 strikeouts and allowed only 49 hits on the season and won two postseason starts.

Darrien Moran, Federal Way

The senior left-hander finished 3-3 and is headed to Pierce College in the fall. Moran threw three complete games during the season and allowed a grand total of seven hits in the 21 innings of work. His best game was a two-hit, 4-0 shutout of Graham-Kapowsin in Federal Way’s final game of the season. He also struck out 11 in a complete-game win over Curtis.

Catcher

Steven Sonnenfeld, TJ

The senior had a huge offensive season for the Raiders and was named the first-team, All-SPSL North designated hitter. Sonnenfeld led TJ with a .412 batting average, 21 runs, 17 RBIs, four doubles and five home runs.

First base

Richie Apigo, Beamer

The senior hit .365 with 15 runs, 12 RBIs and two doubles for the Titans. Apigo was a second-team, All-SPSL South selection and was 2 for 2 with a pair of RBIs during the Titans’ 4-0 win over Jackson in the opening round of the state tournament.

Second base

Brandon Zimmerman, Decatur

The sophomore had another solid season for the Gators. Zimmerman hit .329 with 19 runs, seven RBIs and two doubles. Zimmerman also led Decatur with nine stolen bases and was a solid defensive second baseman. He was a second-team, All-SPSL 3A selection.

Shortstop

Brett Oyer, Beamer

The senior was the engine that made the Titans go all the way to the state semifinals. Oyer does all the little things that lead to victories on the field.

This season, Oyer finished with a .338 average and led Beamer with 27 runs. He also had seven RBIs and walked 20 times and also led the team with nine stolen bases. Oyer also finished 2-1 on the mound with a 2.62 earned-run average, striking out 19 in 24 innings pitched.

He was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection by the league’s coaches and is set to play at Pierce College next season. Pierce recently won the NWAACC Championship.

Niko Delacruz, Jefferson

The talented sophomore had another solid season for the Raiders. Delacruz finished with a .347 batting average, with 17 runs scored and 14 RBIs. Delacruz also led Jefferson, who finished 7-10 overall, with six doubles and one triple.

Third Base

Hunter Henry, Jefferson

The junior had an impressive season for the Raiders in the SPSL North. The third baseman hit .387 with nine RBIs, seven runs and four doubles.

Henry was named second-team, All-SPSL North by the league coaches.

Outfield

Lawyer Braun, Beamer

The sophomore had a very impressive season and spent a bulk of the year as the Titans’ leadoff hitter. He finished with a .343 average, 13 runs, 11 RBIs, four doubles, three triples and stole five bases.

Braun was 4 for 4 with a single, two doubles and a triple during a 6-0 win over Skyview at the West Central/Southwest District Tournament. He was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection.

Sam Kosbab, Beamer

The senior was the Titans’ best all-around hitter this season. The left-hander, who is headed to Pierce College in the fall, finished with a .371 average, 18 RBIs and hit the only home run of the season for Beamer. Kosbab also scored 11 runs and had six doubles.

Kosbab also pitched 13 1/3 innings and had a 2.10 ERA and was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection.

Brett Johnson, Decatur

The senior had an impressive offensive season for the Gators and will play next year at Pierce College. Johnson finished with a .435 batting average, scored 16 runs and knocked in 27 runs in just 24 games. Johnson also hit three home runs and had 10 doubles.

Johnson was also 11 for 11 in stolen bases and had eight RBIs and three triples during the Gators’ five-game playoff run. He was a first-team, All-SPSL 3A selection by the league’s coaches.