Meridian grabs third
 
Right-hander Slesk shuts down Rangers, 5-1

By ROGER UNDERWOOD
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

What Naches Valley did for an encore, following its state championship with another trip to the final four despite losing five key seniors, was by all accounts highly commendable.

It was, after all, the Rangers' fourth successive advancement to the Class 1A state semifinals.

But what NV did for an encore to its encore, stranding 17 runners in back-to-back losses at Yakima County Stadium, did not sit well with coach Bill Walker.

"'We just didn't have anyone who wanted to step up and get the big hit,"' he said after Saturday's 5-1 loss to Meridian that left NV with the fourth-place trophy. "'We just were not aggressive enough and we were not competitive enough, just like yesterday.

"'Guys get a couple of hits and get their name in the paper -- big deal. You have to want to make something happen. You have to want to step up."'

A day after leaving eight runners on base, including five in scoring position in a 4-2 loss to Cashmere, the Rangers (22-5) stranded nine against Meridian (20-8) with six left at either second or third base.

Though Trojans right-hander Zach Slesk struck out 11 -- nine in the first three innings -- Naches Valley matched its opponent with seven hits and had baserunners in each inning except the seventh.

The Rangers' lone run, however, came in the third with Carson Kass logging the RBI by getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. They remained full with one out in that frame, but two strikeouts followed.

NV loaded the sacks again in the fifth, this time with no outs, but pinch-hitter Noel Gonzalez bounced into a pitcher-to-catcher-to-first double play and Nathan Giles then lined out to left.

Third-place Meridian, meanwhile got two runs in the second off Chris Walker -- one of them unearned -- added a third on a suicide squeeze in the third and plated two more on Jordan Warren's single in the fourth.

On the plus side for Naches Valley, J.R. Weigel concluded a stellar four-year career by going 2-for-4 and was greeted by well-deserved applause after his final high school at bat.

"'J.R. Weigel is incredible,"' Walker said. "'How many kids can say they played in four final fours?"'

Weigel was a courtesy runner as a freshman in 2007, played second in 2008 and has been an exemplary shortstop the past two seasons.

Last year against Kalama, Weigel fielded a grounder and threw to Adam Ranger at first for the final out of Naches Valley's title-game triumph.

"'Winning the state championship -- that was phenomenal,"' said Weigel, who plans to continue his career at Yakima Valley Community College. "'But yeah, four final fours, that's the best I could have asked for."'

Naches Valley seventh: Weigel grounds out to short; Walker flies out to center; Kass grounds out to first. No runs, no hits, no errors, no runners left on base. 

Meridian sixth: Norris pops out to short; T. Slesk flies out to left; Marino grounds out to third. No runs, no hits, no errors, no runners left on base.

Naches Valley sixth: Parker singles down left-field line; pinch-hitter Wells grounds out to first; Frazier strikes out; Johns grounds out to short. No runs, one hit, no errors, one runner left on base.

Meridian fifth: Wiebe singles to center; Wiebe caught stealing at second; Tripp strikes out looking; Murphy grounds out to second. No runs, one hit, no errors, no runners left on base.

Naches Valley fifth: Weigel infield single to short; Walker singles to center, Weigel advances to third; Cleem walks; pinch-hitter Gonzalez grounds into 1-2-3 double play; pinch-hitter Giles flies out to left. No runs, two hits, no errors, two runners left on base. 

Meridian fourth: Norris singles to left; T. Slesk doubles to left; Marino flies out to right; Warren 2RBI single to right; Warren steals second; Hansen strikes out looking; Z. Slesk pops out to first. Two runs, three hits, no errors, one runner left on base.  

Naches Valley fourth: Parker singles to left; Ring strikes out; Carrell grounds out to second, Parker advances to second; Parker takes third on wild pitch; Johns strikes out. No runs, one hit, no errors, one runner left on base.

Meridian third: Z. Slesk doubles to left; Wiebe ground out to third, Z. Slesk advances to third; Tripp RBI sacrifice bunt (suicide squeeze); Murphy strikes out. One run, one hit, no errors, no runners left on base.

Naches Valley third: Carrell strikes out looking; Johns singles to right; Weigel singles to center; runners advance on wild pitch; Walker intentionally walked; Kass hit by pitch, RBI; Putas strikes out looking; Dreisbach strikes out. One run, two hits, no errors, three runners left on base.  

Meridian second: Wiebe singles to center; Wiebe steals second; Tripp strikes out; Wiebe takes third on passed ball; Murphy RBI grounder to second, safe on fielding error; Murphy takes second on wild pitch; Norris walks; T. Slesk infield single; Marino RBI grounder to third, safe on fielding error; Warren strikes out; Hansen flies out to right. Two runs, two hits, two errors, three runners left on base.    

Naches Valley second: Putas strikes out; Dreisbach strikes out; Parker walks; Ring strikes out. No runs, no hits, no errors, one runner left on base.

Meridian first: Warren lines out to center; Hansen strikes out; Z. Slesk strikes out. No runs, no hits, no errors, no runners left on base.

Naches Valley first: Johns singles to left; Weigel strikes out looking; Walker strikes out; Kass strikes out. No runs, one hit, no errors, one runner left on base.

Starting lineups
   Naches Valley -- Johns, 3b; Weigel, ss; Walker, p; Kass, dh (for Johnson, 2b); Putas, cf; Dreisbach, 1b; Parker, rf; Ring, c; Carrell, lf.
   Meridian -- Warren, lf; Hansen, dh (for Madeira, ss); Z. Slesk, p; Wiebe, 3b; Tripp, 1b; Murphy, rf; Norris, c; T. Slesk, 2b; Marino, cf.