Bellevue Boppers Gain Finale

The Food Giant once again proved Saturday night that no lead is fat enough against the boys from Bellevue.

The Food Giant fell behind by seven runs after two innings and came back to beat Centralia Fullers Market Place 17-11 in the State Senior American Legion baseball tournament at Jackson Field.

Bellevue has scored 84 runs in the four games heading into today’s 12:30 p.m. title game against Kennewick. When the two met Friday night, Bellevue totaled 10 runs in its last two at-bats in a comeback win. Against Centralia, Food Giant scored six runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 14-9 lead. They never trailed after that.

Centralia enjoyed a 9-2 lead after two innings, helped by Aaron Gozart’s two-run homer in the first inning and John Burney’s three-run shot in the second. But Ken Esteves quieted Centralia’s bats, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out six in 5-2/3 innings.

Bellevue’s third, fourth and fifth hitters - Tripper Johnson, George Fletcher and Ben Parino - are hitting 26 for 58 in the tournament with 30 RBIs and 10 home runs. Fletcher had three RBIs Saturday to bring his total to 24. Johnson finished 4 for 5.

Kennewick 10, Skagit 8

Tyrel Davis’ grand slam capped a six-run fifth inning as the Dusters went on to beat the Sox in a loser-out game.

Brandon Reddinger chipped in with a two-run single to give the Dusters a 9-1 lead.

Skagit came back in its half of the fifth with four runs off four singles and an RBI double by Dusty Suiter. That made the score 9-5.

Skagit chipped away at the lead and had the potential winning run at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. With runners on the corners, Kennewick reliever Kevin Wilburn got Bryce VanderArk to fly out and end the game.

Davis went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and teammate Matt Smith went 4 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. Skagit’s Andy Otis and Suiter had three hits apiece.

Skagit relief pitcher Greg Horton kept his team in the game, giving up one run on five hits and striking out seven in the final four innings.

TODAY Championship 12:30 p.m.: Bellevue (38-15) vs. Kennewick (43-13), Jackson Field (2nd game, if necessary, follows).