KALISPELL, Mont. — First a state title, now a regional championship, and in little more than two weeks a World Series trophy?
That’s the opportunity available to the Port Angeles Cal Ripken 12U baseball team, after dominating the Pacific Northwest Regional Cal Ripken 12U baseball tournament.
The local team went 6-0 at the regional event to qualify for the 12U Cal Ripken World Series in Alachua, Fla. from Aug. 6-12.
A Port Angeles softball team qualified for the World Series at the same site two years ago.
The Babe Ruth organization, which operates Cal Ripken leagues, covers transportation expense from Seattle to Florida, but the squad will need to raise funds for travel between Port Angeles and Seattle and expenses incurred in Florida.
Donations can be made at any First Federal branch.
Port Angeles blasted Lower Columbia, Ore. 14-2 in the tournament semifinals, then dropped Caldwell, Idaho 9-2 in the championship.
The local team had previously beaten Caldwell 11-4 in the pool play portion of the regional event.
In total, Port Angeles scored a staggering 93 runs in its six contests, allowing just 14 runs by its opponents.
In the pool play game against Caldwell, Port Angeles demonstrated superior fire-power with their young guns on the mound.
Ethan Flodstrom started follow by southpaw Timmy Adams, with Brody “Tonka” Merritt slamming the door as the closer.
Flodstrom went 3 for 4, with two home runs, a single and 3 RBI’s.
Tyler Bowen hit a two-run homer, while Tanner Lunt went 2 for 3 and Nathan Miller and Merritt recorded hits.
Port Angeles blew out Polson, Mont. 26-1 in its second contest.
Milo “Mo” Whitman started on the mound followed by Derek Bowechop in what would be a four-inning mercy rule affair.
Whitman helped his own cause by going 4 for 5 with six RBI’s.
Flodstrom and Adams both went deep for home runs and Bowen was all over the yard flashing “gold glove” leather in center field.
Port Angeles then dropped Calgary 14-2 with lefty Slater Bradley picking up the win on the mound.
Bowechop was 3 for 4 with a homer and Miller also homered as the Canadians attempted to pitch around Port Angeles’ previous home run sluggers.
Bowen, Lamb, Flodstrom, and Merritt all had two hits each.
Lunt, Bradley, and Lucas Jarnigan each delivered singles.
Port Angeles wrapped pool play with a 19-3 demolition of Havre, Mont.
Alex Lamb, Jarnigan, Bowen and Lunt held down Havre on the mound.
Flodstrom, Bradley, and Bowen hit homeruns.
Gabe Ritchie and Bradley each tallied three hits and Port Angeles had 19 hits in the game.
