Yellow Pages
ANACORTES — The La Conner baseball team’s first state appearance since 2006 was a short one thanks to Nathan Burres and the Northwest Christian Navigators.
Burres pitched the first three innings and struck out all nine La Conner batters he faced as the Navigators stopped the Braves 8-0 on Saturday in the first round of the Class 2B State Baseball Tournament.
The loss ended the season for the young Braves squad.
Burress, the reigning Class 2B state player of the year, started the game and struck out seven Braves swinging and two looking as the Navigators’ batters built a 4-0 lead. Relief pitcher Preston Turk, who started the fourth, proved only slightly less dominating. He threw three no-hit innings to follow Burress’ appearance.
“It all started with the pitching for us,” Northwest Christian coach Don Heinze said. “I made a calculated risk to put another pitcher in so we could use Nathan in the next game.”
Northwest Christian third baseman Robbie Groeschell led the attack at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Leadoff hitter Dallas Turk and shorstop Ty Arnold each had two hits for the Navigators, and second baseman Zack Thomas added a double.
“We had some timely hits and kept the pressure on,” Heinze said.
Northwest Christian, located in Lacey, finished fourth in last year’s state tournament. The Navigators came into this year’s tournament 22-1.
After the game against La Conner, the Navigators beat Pe Ell 4-3 in their second contest at Volunteer Park to advance to the state semifinals.
La Conner’s Kevin Ketcham broke up the no-hitter with a single up the right-field line in the seventh against the Navigators’ third pitcher, Groeschell.
Earlier, La Conner leadoff hitter Kyle McKnight had broken up the potential perfect game in the sixth by drawing a walk.
Matt Burlingame had followed that with another walk.
La Conner coach Jeremiah LeSourd said the Braves’ appearance in the state tournament was a great experience for all involved.
“It was a great experience for the young guys and a reward for our one senior,” he said, referring to catcher Matt Burlingame.
La Conner’s team had six freshmen and sophomores on the state-tournament squad, as well as five juniors.
“We fought hard, and this will be a great springboard for our future,” LeSourd said.
• Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at
