Rochester routs
Freeman, 13-2
 
Steelhammer throws complete game, goes 2-for-4

TOURNEYTOWN.COM

Luke Steelhammer tossed a complete-game four-hitter, and Rochester put the game out of reach with a six-run sixth inning as the Warriors routed Freeman 13-2 in the Class 1A state semifinals Friday at Yakima County Stadium.

The win sends Rochester into Saturday's 4 p.m. championship game against Southwest League Trico Division rival Kalama. Freeman will meet Naches Valley at 10 a.m. Saturday for third place.

Steelhammer struck out two and walked two. Freeman tagged him for two unearned runs in the fourth; otherwise he wasn't challenged by the Scotties.

Offensively, the Warriors pounded out 12 hits, including a 3-for-4, four-RBI effort from leadoff hitter Jarin Ruiz. He singled in two runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.

Steelhammer added to the offensive fireworks with a pair of RBI doubles in the fifth and sixth innings. Jordan Everson also doubled twice, and Ryan Kuntz added a two-run homer in the sixth to open that big inning. Kuntz and Steelhammer each finished 2-for-4.

Freeman 7th: Burke grounds out back to pitcher; Kitterman grounds out to catcher; Kestell strikes out. No runs, no hits, no errors, no runners left on base.

Rochester 6th: Ruiz strikes out; Bishop walks; Knutz hits two-run homer to right; Reilly enters to pitch for Freeman; Everson doubles to center; Everson takes third on passed ball; Sanders pops out to short; Steelhammer doubles home Everson; Steelhammer takes third on wild pitch; Julsrud walks; Aarts walks; Ortiz walks, drives in run; Ruiz singles to center, scoring two runs; Barnes enters to pitch for Freeman; Bishop flies out to center. Six runs, four hits, no errors, two runners left on base.

Freeman 6th: Sullivan grounds to third, safe on throwing error, but thrown out trying to take second on wild pitch; Mega walks, advances to second on balk; Miller flies out to right; Reilly flies out to center. No runs, no hits, one error, one runner left on base.

Rochester 5th: Everson doubles; Kestell pitching for Freeman; Sanders strikes out; Steelhammer doubles home Everson; Julsrud strikes out; Steelhammer steals third; Aarts walks; Aarts steals second; Ortiz lines out to second. One run, two hits, no errors, two runners left on base.

Freeman 5th: Kestell doubles, advances to third on wild pitch; Barnes flies out to right; Ford flies out to center, Kestell thrown out at plate. No runs, one hit, no errors, no runners left on base.

Rochester 4th: Steelhammer reaches on throwing error by second baseman; Julsrud strikes out; Aarts doubles to right; Ortiz strikes out; Ruiz singles to center, scoring two runs; Ruiz steals second; Bishop singles to center, scoring Ruiz, and takes second on center fielder's error; Knutz reaches on fielding error by second baseman; Knutz caught stealing 1-6-3-4. Three runs, three hits, three errors, one runner left on base.

Freeman 4th: Ford lines out to third; Sullivan doubles to right; Mega flies out to right; Miller reaches on booted grounder at third; Miller steals second, Sullivan steals home; Reilly singles to left, scoring Miller, and takes second on throw to plate; Burke singles to left, Reilly moves to third; Burke steals second; Kitterman strikes out looking. Two runs, three hits, one error, two runners left on base.

Rochester 3rd: Ruiz singles to left; Bishop singles to right, advancing Ruiz to third; Bishop caught stealing 1-6-3-4 in double-steal attempt; Knutz grounds to short for fielder's choice, shortstop throws ball away at home as Ruiz scores; Knutz moves to second on the error; Knutz steals third; Everson taps grounder to first, Knutz scores on play; Sanders grounds into 5-4-3 double play. Two runs, two hits, one error, no runners left on base.

Freeman 3rd: Burke lines out to short; Kitterman walks; Kitterman balked to second; Kestell pops out to first; Barnes grounds out short. No runs, no hits, no errors, one runner left on base.

Rochester 2nd: Julsrud walks, later advances to second on errant pickoff attempt; Aarts strikes out, Julsrud takes third on dropped third strike and throw to first; Ortiz lines out to pitcher, Julsrud doubled off at third. No runs, no hits, one error, no runners left on base.

Freeman 2nd: Mega pops out to catcher; Miller flies out to right; Reilly flies out to center. No runs, no hits, no errors, no runners left on base.

Rochester 1st: Ruiz walks; Ruiz advances to second on wild pitch; Bishop walks; Knutz singles to left, scoring Ruiz and sending Bishop to third; Knutz steals second; Everson strikes out; Sanders takes called third strike; Steelhammer pops out to third base. One run, one hit, no errors, two runners left of base.

Freeman 1st: Kestell grounds out to pitcher; Barnes walks; Ford flies out to center; Barnes advances to second on balk; Sullivan flies out to left. No runs, no hits, no errors, one runner left on base.

Starting lineups
   Freeman -- Kestell, ss; Barnes, cf; Ford, p; Sullivan, c; Mega, 3b; Miller, rf; Reilly, 1b; Burke, 2b; Kitterman, lf.
   Rochester -- Ruiz, ss; Bishop, cf; Knutz, c; Everson, 3b; Sanders, 1b; Steelhammer, p; Julsrud, lf; Aarts, rf; Ortiz, 2b.