Big time rivalries deserve big stages. Cheney Stadium, the home of the Mariners AAA affiliate Tacoma Rainiers, fit the bill for the third game of the series between Federal Way and Todd Beamer on Friday night.

Seven turned out to be the lucky number in the series as Beamer took the first two games by scores of 4-3 and 7-0. Federal Way answered with their own 7-0 win at Cheney Stadium.

“We knew it was going to be fun,” said Federal Way head coach Danny Graham. “It’s even more fun when you play one of your toughest rivals. They kind of took it to us a little bit the first two days. So we came to a big environment and our kids produced very well and I was excited about that.”

The players were able to enjoy amenities such as walk-up music, big league dugouts and their names and faces on the video board during the game.

“It’s our second year playing here and I love it,” said Beamer head coach Jerry Peterson. “It’s great for the kids and a good experience.”

Federal Way junior pitcher Ben Koler had a stellar night on the mound. He pitched a complete game shutout, striking out eight batters and only giving up one walk.

He also took a no hitter through three innings before Beamer senior Kepa Sharpe broke it up with a single in the fourth inning.

Beamer’s bats did begin to come alive after the fourth inning as they managed to out hit Federal Way 6-5. They just could not get the key hit they needed to drive in a run.

“One thing I like about the team is we started swinging it at the end of the game,” Peterson said.

The Eagles used small ball tactics throughout the game to score runs. Bunts were prevalent, but they also were able to swing with some power when necessary.

Senior Rylan Crastenberg and sophomore Gabe Togia would both finish the game 2-3 batting. Each RBI was driven in by a different batter.

The Titans played right into this tactic by allowing seven walks during the game. Many of the base on balls came with no one out or only one out, allowing Federal Way to move runners up.

Federal Way would pad their lead with three runs in the top of a rainy seventh inning. An error helped fuel the scoring.

With the game nearly out of reach, Beamer would try for one last rally, but Koler would end the game with a strikeout.

Defensive effort for Federal Way was on full display in the fifth inning when senior first baseman Christian Jones went toppling over the dugout wall to make a catch of a foul ball.

“Everything that we practiced, we succeeded in,” Graham said. “Our outfielders made good plays. We hit our cuts. Our infielders made the routine plays. We squeezed; we played small ball, but we got big hits when it mattered too. So I’m pretty excited with what we’ve got going forward.”

Federal Way improved their conference record to 1-2 with the win and 4-3 overall. They played Kentridge and Mt. Tahoma following their win over Beamer.

Beamer fell to 2-1 in conference play and 5-2 overall. They defeated Jefferson on Monday and played again on Tuesday. They are currently 3-1 in conference and 6-2 overall.

The Titans will begin a three-game series Monday at home against Mount Rainier. Federal Way will being a three-game series with Decatur at home on the same day.

Kepa Sharpe of Beamer singles into left field to break up the no-hitter in the fourth inning. Sharpe would go 2-3 batting on the day. By Terrence Hill, the Mirror

Federal Way players and coaches take in their surroundings at Cheney Stadium prior to their win against rival, Todd Beamer. By Terrence Hill, the Mirror