Exciting baseball game this afternoon as West Seattle High School hosted Chief Sealth International High School. Caryn Johnson, who’s been reporting on the Wildcats throughout the season, tells the story of their faceoff with the Seahawks:

A crosstown rivalry transpired this afternoon at Hiawatha Field between West Seattle and Sealth. Many West Seattleites came out on a sunny but chilly day to watch the “Battle in West Seattle.” It was a pitchers’ duel between Carson Wright for West Side and Nik Turcinec for Sealth.

The score remained very close through 5 innings with a score of 2-1, Sealth leading. Top of the 6th, Sealth would tack on two more insurance runs and West Seattle would answer with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Carson was able to complete the game, pitching through the 7th inning and not giving up any further scores.

Then it was a do or die for the Wildcats in the bottom of the 7th. Jack Page would start off with a single before a pitching change was made by Sealth. Senior Jamie Maples would come to the plate and hit a ground-rule double into center field. Senior Morgan McCullough would then be intentionally walked to load the bases.

Next batter to the plate would be sophomore Anthony Coats, who sent a deep sacrifice fly ball to center field to score Jack from third, and advance Jamie. Junior Andrew Burggraff would be next up to bat, during which the Sealth pitcher would be called on a balk to bring Jamie home and tie up the game. Burggraff would eventually draw a walk after a 9-pitch at bat to load the bases again. Then Senior Nathan Johnson [top photo] walked to the plate with one out. He would drop a slow roller by the pitcher that would allow Morgan to score the winning run from third. Nathan was immediately mobbed in the right field by his celebrating teammates.

In the end, West Seattle would come out on top, 5-4. Do we expect anything less from these two teams??? It was a great afternoon of baseball and to see so many come out and cheer on all of the locals was inspiring. This was the last home game for the West Seattle Seniors and they did not disappoint.

Final WSHS game of the regular season is on Wednesday against Seattle Prep at Steve Cox Field in White Center, at 3:30.

Wednesday is also when Sealth plays its last home game, 4 pm vs. Cleveland at Southwest Athletic Complex.