Baseball Advances to the Final Four after Wins over Pierce and Wenatchee
NWAC Recap, Everett vs Wenatchee
LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Everett Trojans defeated Wenatchee Valley 14-4 by run rule in eight innings to advance on in the winner's bracket of the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship on Friday at David Story Field.
Pinch hitter Connor Dempsey drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth to walk off the win for the Trojans, who continue to dominate offensively in the tournament. The NWAC's No. 1 offense in the regular season, the Trojans have now combined for 25 runs in two games.
After Malikhi Emery-Henderson launched a two-run home run just three batters into the game for the Knights in the top of the first, the Trojans brushed it off quickly to dominate the rest of the way. Everett answered with six runs in the second, then four more in the fifth, one in the sixth, two in the seventh and the final run in the eighth.
Kai Miller went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Julian Unay went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Talan Zenk was 3-for-4 with three runs scored as well. Lucas Coma and Lucas Cheha each had two RBI while Max Rodabaugh and Dawson Sugawa each had two hits.
After allowing the first inning home run, starter Sawyer Wickstrom settled into pitch 6.2 innings, allowing four runs with five strikeouts to earn the victory.
Wenatchee Valley was led by Emery-Henderson who had three RBI and Teyton Hardeman, who went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI.
The Trojans will move on in the winner's bracket, moving one win away from guranteeing a spot on Championship Monday. They will next play the winner of Game 8 featuring Edmonds and Lane. Wenatchee Valley moves to the loser's bracket and will play Lower Columbia in an elimination game on Saturday at 11 a.m.
NWAC Recap, Everett vs Pierce
LONGVIEW, Wash. — The Everett Trojans put up 14 hits in their 11-5 opening game victory over Pierce on Thursday at the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship at David Story Field.
The Trojans hit early and often, scoring a run in the bottom of the first before adding on with three runs in the third and three more in the fifth. After Pierce started a late-game rally with three runs in the eighth, the Trojans shut the door with four more runs in the bottom of the inning to seal the victory.
Kai Miller made a significant impact for the Trojans, scoring four runs and securing three hits, including a double. His performance set the tone for the team's offensive efforts as he was on base all five times from the leadoff spot. Davis Downer had the big hit in the fifth inning, sending a two-run home run over the centerfield fence as he drove in three runs in the game. Lucas Coma achieved three hits and drove in two runs.
On the mound, Basil Hendrix excelled by pitching 7 innings, allowing only one earned run, and striking out 11 batters, earning the win with a strong performance from the start.
The Raiders' standout players included Kai Halstead, who led the team with 2 RBIs and had a double in his two-hit performance. Bradley Carl had a run, hit, and RBI while also drawing a walk. On the mound for Pierce, Michael LeJeune pitched 4 2/3 innings, recording three strikeouts.
Everett moves on in the winner's bracket of the tournament and will next play the winner of Linn-Benton vs. Wenatchee Valley on Friday at 4:35 p.m in Game 7 of the tournament. The Raiders will play the loser of that same matchup at 9:35 a.m. on Friday in Game 5.