Docs hold onto second place despite split with Klamath Falls
It was a mixed bag for the Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s in a home doubleheader against Area 4 league opponent Klamath Falls on Saturday at Bill Gray Legion Stadium at Champion Car Wash Field.
Roseburg (20-16-1, 12-6 Area 4) pulled away for a 9-2 win in Game 1 of the twin bill, but Klamath Falls (10-25, 4-14) held off the Docs for a 2-1 win in the nightcap.
“Our first inning in Game 2 was fantastic. We had some great swings and energy was great and then after that inning we just felt complacent,” Roseburg coach Eric Savage said. “That’s not the team I’m used to seeing. That’s a bummer.”
The split against the Falcons combined with Medford’s two losses to Eugene on Saturday moved the Docs into sole possession of second place in the Area 4 standings. Roseburg needs one win against Klamath Falls on Monday to clinch second place and earn an automatic berth in the AAA American Legion state tournament.
Eugene (36-8, 15-3) clinched the Area 4 title with its sweep of the Mustangs and Roseburg’s loss to Klamath Falls. The Challengers will host the AAA American Legion state tournament starting Saturday at Swede Johnson Stadium at North Eugene High School.
Drew Camp held Klamath Falls to just four hits in the opener. The southpaw struckout 11 batters and finished with three walks over 6 2/3 innings.
The Roseburg offense provided plenty of support for Camp.
Brevin Harrison drove in Paxton Burke in the first inning on a fly ball that was dropped in center field. Harrison later scored on a triple by Cal Robbins. It was one of four extra base hits for the Docs.
Roseburg tacked on a run in the third inning and broke the game open with six runs in the fourth inning. Tauj Flora and Brooks Avery drove in runs with triples and Harrison got an RBI with a double.
Harrison was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Avery was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Corbin Hamilton and Ryan Douglas had RBIs for the Falcons in the loss.
Both offense came to a standstill in the nightcap.
Jacoby Tacchini gave Klamath Falls a 1-0 in the top of the first, but the Docs answered with a run on a single by Avery.
The Falcons regained the lead in the fourth inning after a throwing error by Avery, who made a highlight reel diving stop behind second base, but couldn’t complete the putout to end the frame.
Kollin Tacchini and Max Price held the Docs hitless over the final four innings to preserve the win. Kollin Tacchini got the victory, while Price pitched a clean seventh inning to earn the save.
Roseburg was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners stranded on base.
The Docs will host Mid-Valley for a non-league game at 2 p.m. Sunday to finish out their home schedule. Roseburg will then travel to Klamath Falls for a league doubleheader to wrap up the regular season.
First Game
Klamath Falls;000;100;1;—;2;4;5
Roseburg;201;600;X;—;9;8;0
DeJong, Pimley (4) and J. Tacchini; Camp, Ledbetter (7) and C. Robbins. W — Camp (3-1). L — DeJong (0-4). 2B — Harrison (R). 3B — Avery (R), C. Robbins (R), Flora (R).
Second Game
Klamath Falls;100;100;0;—;2;5;0
Roseburg;100;000;0;—;1;3;3
K. Tacchini, Price (7) and Safford; Hartsell, Withers (6) and Hellenthal. W — K. Tacchini (3-5). L — Hartsell (1-4). Sv — Price (1). 3B — Burke (R).
