Cascade Christian Cougars pitcher Kyle Stennes made a simple throw that finished off Life Christian’s baseball team in their final home game of the regular season.
Stennes didn’t even have to throw a strike toward homeplate. Stennes’ pick-off move froze Life Christian’s runner off of second base and when Cascade shortstop Axel Johnson applied the tag for the final out in the top of the seventh inning, the Cougars went into celebration mode defeating Life Christian 6-1 on April 30 at Cascade Christian High School.
Stennes pitched a complete game, fanning five Life Christian hitters in the process.
Cascade Christian coach Paul Sopak was glad Stennes had the confidence to make that kind of split-second decision on the mound.
“I was glad he was able to make that kind of play. Earlier in the season he would have been really nervous and wouldn’t have tried that kind of move,” Sopak said. “He made the play at the end for us. It’s a learning process and it’s good for his confidence. He played his position well today.”
Stennes was grateful for the opportunity to see playing time on the varsity roster as a freshman.
“I just thank God for the opportunity to be out here helping the team as a pitcher,” Stennes said. “I’m glad I was able to go out there and pitch a good game against one of our rival schools.”
Despite not making the playoffs, Sopak believes his team will be a force to be reckoned with in the Nisqually League for years to come. Sopak said he started seven freshman players in the field against Life Christian.
“It was good to see our entire team play with intensity,” Sopak said. “We’re young and the more aggressive we play the better it is for us. We have a good future ahead of us and most of these guys play multiple sports. So it’s not only good for the baseball program, its good for all the sports at our school.”
Cascade Christian got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs that gave them a 3-1 lead through four innings of play. Aki Masuda, David Lidyard and Axel Johnson each scored a run for the Cougars. Masuda and Marcus Hinkle crossed the plate in the fifth, extending the Cougars’ lead to 5-1. Stennes crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth scoring the final run of the game for the Cougars.
Lidyard and Hinkle tallied 2 RBI apiece for the Cougars in their home finale. Cascade Christian registered eight hits in the contest.
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