Docs start strong with 10-5 win over Crushers at state tournament

EUGENE — It was a game that was never really in doubt, but it took longer than needed to finish off for the Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s.

The Docs built a 10-run lead against the Stayton Post 58 Canyon Crushers in the first round of the AAA American Legion state tournament Saturday at Swede Johnson Stadium in Eugene, but Roseburg had to hold off the Crushers down the stretch for a 10-5 win.

“We did what we needed to do to win a ballgame and that’s what it is with tournament ball. Live to survive another day,” Roseburg coach Eric Savage said.

Dr. Stewart’s led 10-0 and needed just three outs in the top of the fifth inning to end the game early due to the mercy rule, but the Crushers rallied to score four times and keep the game going.

Post 58 (21-18), the No. 4 team out of Area 3, tacked on a final run in the seventh inning, but fell short of the comeback.

“We kind of got complacent and relaxed and you saw that everywhere,” Savage said. “They’re a scrappy club, so they punched back and extended our game.”

Colton Siewell had kept the Crushers in check through the first four innings. The power right-hander allowed just one hit before Post 58 connected for three hits in the fifth.

Luke Beyer, David Zuckerman and Wyatt Posstlewait hit three consecutive singles to drive in three runs and knocked Siewell out of the game.

Evan Corbin took over and gave up an RBI single to Josh Allen to make it a 10-4 ballgame in Roseburg’s favor. Corbin settled in and only allowed two more hits the rest of the game.

“Siewell was great, until he started to relax there,” Savage said. “We brought in Corbin, who hasn’t pitched in two weeks now, and I was really pleased with what I saw from Corbin.”

Siewell was hit with four runs allowed on four hits with seven strikeouts, four walks and two hit batters. Corbin allowed one run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings of relief.

While the pitching was stout, the offense provided plenty of support by taking advantage of opportunities the Crushers’ pitching staff allowed.

Roseburg (24-16-1) took a 1-0 in the first on a throwing error. Brevin Harrison plated a run with a double and then later scored when Cole Collins was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

A wild pitch by Post 58 starter Cash Martin allowed another run to score and push Roseburg’s lead to 4-0.

Another throwing error in the second made it 5-0 and the Docs tacked on five more runs in the fourth inning. Harrison and Flora had RBI singles and Collins knocked in two more with a double.

Harrison and Collins, who were celebrating birthdays, both went 2-for-3 with a double. Harrison had two RBIs and Collins had three.

Martin took the loss for the Crushers, allowing nine runs on three hits, five walks and five hit batters with three strikeouts.

Despite a comfortable victory, Savage said the post game conversation was focused on the team’s slip up midway through.

“That’s got to be our wake up call. It can’t happen again. If it happens again, it’s not going to have the same result. We have some good clubs across the way that we’re playing against and we have to be dialed-in, focused and competitive every single pitch. And good things will happen if we do that,”  Savage said.

Roseburg will play on the winner’s side of the bracket against the Portland Barbers at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Post 58 will play an elimination game against the Corvallis Marketmen at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Portland, the defending state champs, topped Corvallis 11-1 in the first round Saturday. Results from the other first round games saw the Mid-Valley (Albany) Southpaws defeat Medford 11-3 and Eugene took care of Grants Pass, 6-2.

Sunday’s action will see Medford face Grants Pass at 1 p.m. in the second elimination game of the day. Mid-Valley will square off with Eugene at 7 p.m. in the other winner’s bracket matchup.

Post 58;000;040;1;—;5;7;5

Roseburg;410;000;X;—;10;7;2

Martin, Hammond (4), Brown (5) and Postlewait; Siewell, Corbin (5) and C. Robbins. W — Siewell (3-0). L — Martin. 2B — Harrison (R), Collins (R).