Baker defeats Newport

The Bulldogs (24-3) scored five runs in the first inning then held the Cubs off to advance to Tuesday’s semifinal round against Henley at Klamath Falls. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The 24 wins sets a new season high for any Baker baseball team. The semifinal game will be the third time the Bulldogs have reached that level in school history.

Jon Woolard slugged a two-run home run, and Dekker Smith a two-run double in the bottom of the first to erase a 2-0 Newport lead.

“Jon Woolard had a big, big hit,” said Baker coach Dan Blankenship.

“In fact we had a couple of clutch hits in that inning.

“We had some shaky defense early,” Blankenship said. “The kids had to really compete and battle.”

Two Baker errors led to two Newport runs in the top of the first inning.

Then, the Bulldogs, 17-1 at the Baker Sports Complex, answered in the bottom of the inning.

Grant Marcum led off with a walk and stole second. Then when Newport pitcher Joe Crowe threw the ball into center field trying to pick Marcum off the Baker catcher scored all the way from second.

Cole Brown then doubled and Derek Blankenship walked. Smith then lined a double to left-center field to score both runners and give Baker a 3-2 lead.

Newport then brought in right-hander Tristan Metcalf to replace Crowe. Metcalf struck out the first two hitters he faced before Woolard stroked his homer to centerfield.

“I was just going up there to try and hit the ball,” Woolard said after the game.

Baker continued to lead 5-2 until the fourth when another error and a balk scored two Newport runs cutting the margin to 5-4.

Blankenship relieved Brown in the fifth and allowed just one hit the rest of the way. Blankenship struck out four Cubs.

“Cole Brown gave us another quality outing,” said Coach Blankenship. “They got some runs off him, but three of the four runs were unearned.

“Derek came in and threw very well.”

Blankenship had to face Newport’s 3-4-5 hitters in the seventh. He struck out two of the three, including all-state performer Cody Dordan for the final out.

“I knew I just needed to throw strikes,” the Baker junior said. “If they missed it great. If they hit it I knew I had a good defense behind me.”

Coach Blankenship said the large throng of Baker fans attending Friday’s quarterfinal game helped spur the Bulldogs on.

“The crowds the last couple of games have been great,” he said. “Friday’s crowd was probably the largest we’ve had this season. It’s just a great atmosphere, and our crowds are so positive in support of the kids,” Blankenship said.

Newport    2    0    0    2    0    0    0    —    4

Baker    5    0    0    0    0    0    x    —    5

Crowe, Metcalf (1) and Bremner, Crowe (1). Brown, Blankenship (5) and Marcum. WP – Brown (7-3. LP – Crowe. S – Blankenship (2).

Newport hits – Case, Dordan, Moore. Baker hits – Brown, Smith, Woolard, Blankenship, Marcum.

Newport RBI – Case. Baker RBI – Smith 2, Woolard 2.

2B – Case, Dordan, Brown, Smith, Marcum. HR – Woolard (2).