East Valley's not
celebrating, yet
 
By ROGER UNDERWOOD
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

On the side of East Valley's press box/clubhouse at Loftus Field, a sign exclaims FINAL FOUR BABY in the school's red and black colors. And on the fence that greets Red Devils patrons as they enter the facility, there's a spot just waiting for a plaque to trumpet the 2008 baseball team's accomplishments.

But as EV practices under the watchful eyes of coach Jesse Benedetti and his staff, there is very little activity that resembles a celebration. The No. 8 Red Devils are all business in their preparation for today's 4 p.m. Class 2A state semifinal against 10th-ranked Cedarcrest at Yakima County Stadium.

But then, to noticeably lighten the demeanor would be to deviate from a season-long theme, and the game's traditionalists would sternly warn that now is not the time.

"We've been hard on these kids, pretty demanding at times," Benedetti said. "The seniors have put up with us for four years, and it's gratifying to see that their blood, sweat and tears is being rewarded."

Notice that Benedetti said "is being rewarded," rather than "has been." Another likely reason EV (19-6) hasn't been all high fives and hugs is because its players and coaches are hoping for, and in fact planning to passionately pursue, further accomplishment.

As senior Kevin Komstadius said, "I don't want to finish fourth again."

Two years ago, when Komstadius and the six other Red Devils were sophomores, East Valley did just that. Maybe the teams it lost to were better that time around, but this squad seems bent on giving opponents its best shot.

And so, of course, do the three other semifinalists -- the Red Wolves of Duvall, plus unranked Pullman (15-7) and No. 1 Sehome (21-4), the defending champion. The Greyhounds and Mariners will meet tonight at 7.

East Valley's plan last Saturday was to coming out swinging, and it worked handsomely.

Komstadius was at his absolute pitching best in the state opener, shutting down West Valley of Spokane with a one-hit, 17-strikeout gem as EV won 11-1. Later against Selah, the Devils combined a mix of offensive tenacity and defensive sure-handedness to outlast the Vikings 14-10.

Cedarcrest's Red Wolves, formerly Tolt High School from the small western Washington town of Duvall, were staging their own postseason heroics last Saturday in Yelm. They followed a 6-5 opening conquest of Hockinson with a 5-0 defeat of Lynden for their second consecutive state semifinal appearance.

Last year at Wenatchee, in the school's first final four game since 1988, Cedarcrest fell to Selah 3-0 before obliterating Hockinson 27-7 for third place.

Four of this season's Red Wolves (19-6) -- junior pitcher Travis Cook, junior first baseman-pitcher Cameron Padron, sophomore catcher Dakota Bunce and sophomore third baseman Tommy Edwards -- were named to the All-Cascade Conference's first team. Senior pitcher Kyle Olson and junior catcher-outfielder Craig Chittenden made the second team for coach Scott Goldsworthy.

"We've gotten some information on them," Benedetti said. "They pitch, they hit, they field and we'll have to be at our best to beat them."

Whether Komstadius will take the mound, or whether Benedetti will go with the tandem of Jordan Cameron and Kevin Elkins against Cedarcrest was not disclosed. "Still looking at matchups," Benedetti said.

Regardless, the Red Devils are hoping to extend a hitting spree that had last Saturday's crowd buzzing.

"One of the things that I think has really give this group confidence," Benedetti said, "is we've had Komo (Komstadius) come up in game-winning situations and not get it done, but somebody else did."

Sehome and Pullman are schools with substantial state history -- the Greyhounds claiming the championships here in 2001 and 2005 while the M's prevailed over Selah for last year's title in Wenatchee.

Sehome punched its ticket to Yakima County Stadium last Saturday at Anacortes, rallying from an early 6-0 deficit to beat Archbishop Murphy 17-7 after beating Kingston 10-5. Conor Long and Jared Vera pitched complete games for the Mariners.

At Chehalis, Pullman beat No. 6 River Ridge 11-5 before overwhelming unranked Othello 15-0. Bryce Flamand pitched a five-hitter against the Huskies and Jamie Fertakis homered in each contest.