PREP SPORTS WRAP UP: Federal Way scores four runs late to upend Decatur on the diamond

By Casey Olson • March 18, 2011 6:19 pm

The Federal Way Eagles needed some late-inning heroics to avoid the upset attempt by cross-town rival Decatur Friday afternoon.

Federal Way, who return plenty from last year’s state third-place team, scored four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to beat the Gators, 5-2, at Decatur.

Federal Way (1-1) took a quick 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first. But the Gators fought back with single runs in the fourth and fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth. The Eagles tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the sixth and tallied three in the seventh to finalize the score.

Federal Way shortstop Nick Tanielu finished 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs. The Eagles mustered only six hits off of Decatur pitchers Chris Carns and Janson Junk.

But the Gators’ offense finished with only four hits. Freshman Brandon Zimmerman was 1 for 4 with a double and a run and Mitchell Ciotta was 1 for 3 with a double.

The loss was Decatur’s third in a row during the early season. Kentridge beat the Gators, 15-5, in a non-leaguer Wednesday. Ciotta finished 2 for 3 with a run and RBI.

at Beamer 12, Fife 1 — The Titans needed only five innings to dispatch of the Fife Trojans Thursday at home. Beamer (2-0) scored all 12 of its runs in the first three innings, including six in the bottom of the third. Matt Bower picked up the win on the mound after allowing no runs and striking out seven in four innings of work.

Senior Mac Gridley finished 3 for 4 with three runs and three RBIs and Richie Apigo was 3 for 3 with two runs, three RBIs and a double.

 

Softball

The Thomas Jefferson Raiders racked up 19 hits and pounded Decatur in a non-league game Thursday, 13-3.

Katie Jackson allowed only two hits and struck out eight on the mound for TJ and was also 3 for 4 with three runs at the plate. Michaela Patton was 3 for 3 with two doubles and three runs and Allie Crowe  was 3 for 3 with a double and a run for the Raiders.

Decatur’s Abby McFaul finished 1 for 3 with a home run.

 

Soccer

The highly-regarded Beamer soccer team started its South Puget Sound League South Division season with a 2-0 win over the Curtis Vikings Tuesday.

The Titans, who are ranked eighth in the nation by ESPNRise.com, got goals from Kelvin Horne and Austin Sweeney. Horne scored in the 34th minute and Sweeney’s came in the 50th.

Kentwood 2, at Jefferson 1 — Jefferson dropped its SPSL North opener Tuesday to the Kentwood Conquerors, 2-1. The Raiders jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Casey Kim scored on an assist from Chase Hanson just after halftime. But the Conquerors tallied the next two goals to get the win.

at Stadium 2, Decatur 1 — The Gators lost their season opener Monday to the Stadium Tigers in Tacoma.