Playoffs begin Saturday for Bellevue, Newport baseball

By Joel Willits • May 21, 2009 3:47 pm
Bellevue junior Alex Bielaski is one of the pitchers who will have to step up in the state tournament
Bellevue junior Alex Bielaski is one of the pitchers who will have to step up in the state tournament

It all starts Saturday.

Bellevue (3A) and Newport (4A) begin WIAA State Tournament baseball play Saturday, both with aspirations of winning a state title. For the Wolverines, it’d be the first in school history. For Newport, it’d be the seventh trophy in a large case.

Both teams have quality starting pitching and explosive bats capable of awaking at any moment.

For both teams, Saturday marks the first step towards a state championship.

Bellevue Wolverines

Record: 16-6

Coach: Mark Tyler

State titles: 0

State appearances: 3

Record at state: 2-3

Last state appearance: 2007 (did not place)

Streak: Won 4

First round opponent: Highline Pirates (17-6) at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue at 10 a.m. (Winner plays at 4 p.m.)

Outlook: Bellevue seems to find itself with a favorable first-round matchup with the Pirates and will get to stay in-town with the game at Bannerwood. Teams that find success in the state playoffs typically have more than one solid starting pitcher, and Bellevue has that in Alex Bielaski, Jake Collier and David Heyduck. If the Wolverines can get past Highline, they’ll play at 4 p.m. at Bannerwood against the winner of the Bainbridge/Columbia River game at 1 p.m. The Wolverines have never advanced past the quarterfinals in the state tournament.

Newport Knights

Record: 14-9

Coach: Brian Fischer

State titles: 6

State appearances: 16

Record at state: 42-11

Last state appearance: 2006 (won state title)

Streak: Lost 1

First round opponent: Kentwood Conquerers (17-3) at Everett Memorial Stadium in Everett at 10 a.m. (Winner plays at 4 p.m.)

Outlook: Before their loss in the KingCo 4A Championship game, there may not have been a hotter team than Newport, as the Knights won eight-straight games to that point. One of the state’s best post-season performers, the Knights have their work cut out for them when it comes to the Conks. Kentwood has mostly cruised this season but Newport has a 1-2 punch in pitchers Brandon Andreini and Colin Hering to make a run. Knights have the pitching to hang in with any team; if the bats can stay hot, Newport has a shot to keep their run going.