KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Wilder Baseball’s bid to repeat as regional champions and earn its second consecutive berth in the 16-18 Senior Babe Ruth World Series was halted in the Pacific Northwest semifinals.
And for the second tournament in a row, it was the Columbia Basin River Dogs who ended Wilder’s title hopes, this time by a 9-1 score. The loss ends Wilder’s season.
The River Dogs beat the North Olympic Peninsula elite team 10-4 in the state championship game in Ephrata last month.
“I’m proud of my kids for what they have accomplished this year, and there is nothing to hang their heads about,” Wilder coach Chad Wagner said.
Wilder managed only three hits in the game and fell behind early when ace pitcher Kyle Kelly had an uncharacteristic performance, allowing eight runs in the first inning.
“It was the first time I have seen him hit this hard, and was just one of those days for [the pitcher who was] our ace all year long,” Wagner said.
Sequim’s Nick Johnston relieved Kelly and allowed only one earned run the rest of the way.
Wilder finishes Wagner’s first season as head coach with a 24-9 record.
“I’d like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support, along with all the fans on the Peninsula,” Wagner said.
“Wilder baseball has and will always be a class-act program, and I am proud to be apart of it.”
Wilder sponsors include Wilder Auto, 7 Cedars Casino, J&J Excavating, RJ Services, In Memory of Dick Brown, 2 Grade Excavating, Olympic Synthetic Products and various community members.
