The 13U Federal Way Knights are the 2014 state champions of the Washington State National Sandy Koufax division, bringing home the title with a 12-3 win over the (Mercer Island) Islanders on July 21. The Knights didn’t lose a game in the tournament and outscored their opponents 44-19.
The team finished their regular season with a 22-8 record, putting them in fourth place overall and earning them a berth in the tournament. They started the tournament out with a 9-1 win over Stod’s Outlaws on July 18, following that performance up with a 12-6 win over the Islanders on July 19.
The Knights were put to the test on July 20, outlasting the Valley Select team 6-5 in extra innings. The next step for the Knights was a 5-4 win over Outlaws Black. The Knights closed out the tournament and secured the state title in a rematch against the Islanders.
The Knights next step will be a game against City Navy in what’s dubbed as a “Super-Championship Game.” If the Knights win that game, they’ll bring home the Sandy Koufax Cup, according to team organizers.
The Knights are made up of Malachi Afework, Ben Ray, Brandon Locke, Brandon Niksich, Tommy Davis, Branham Ponce, Nicholas Orr, Tate Wallat, Travis Miller, Josh Mears, Gavin Knapp, Tyler Tribble and Blake Beck. The team is managed by Bob Beck, and is coached by Tom Wallat and Jim Knapp.
