Klahowya baseball clobbers Naches Valley for 1A state crown
If anyone had doubts about the best Class 1A baseball program in the state this season, Klahowya erased those Saturday at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.
Facing No. 1 Naches Valley in the 1A title game, No. 3 Klahowya clobbered its opponent across six innings, winning 12-1 to secure its first-ever baseball championship. Hitting, pitching, defense — you name it — the Eagles (22-2) ended their memorable season with a major statement.
"We played a complete game of baseball today," Klahowya head coach Eddie Beloate said.
Knocking off No. 14 Chelan, No. 3 Deer Park and No. 7 Cedar Park Christian during the first three rounds of the state tournament, Klahowya wasted little time jumping on Naches Valley, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning. It was a sign of things to come for the Eagles, who finished the game with 12 hits.
"We stroked the ball really well today," Beloate said. "We came out and barreled up really quick. It was just one of those days where we sprayed the ball everywhere."
Naches Valley earned one run on one hit in the bottom of the first inning off Klahowya starting pitching Carson Langguth, but it would be the only run and only hit the sophomore allowed all game. Langguth, who tossed a no-hitter in Klahowya's first-round win against Chelan, combined with fellow sophomore pitcher Aiden Michael to allow just five runs in four postseason starts.
"Aiden threw a 1-hitter yesterday and Carson threw a 1-hitter today," said Beloate, whose team beat Cedar Park Christian of Bothell 3-0 in Friday's semifinals. "You're going to be hard to beat when that happens."
It didn't matter the opponent, Klahowya senior catcher Matt Bailey said the Eagles were on a mission this postseason to make history.
"My favorite part about the playoff run was the confidence that our team played with," said Bailey, one of four seniors on the team. "We all had one goal and we kept working for it every day."
Beloate said his 2023 team helped change the mindset around Klahowya's program. Winning and winning big games is no longer a hope, but an expectation. The Eagles no longer have to wonder if they have what it takes.
"These guys know what they are doing, they know how to play baseball," Beloate said. "The bar is going to be set high for the next few years."
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Klahowya baseball clobbers Naches Valley for 1A state crown
