1A State Semifinals:

• Meridian 2, Cedar Park Christian 1

2A State Semifinals:

• Columbia River 2, Lynden 0

*Read below to find out more about each game!

Meridian 2, Cedar Park Christian 1

In a rematch of the bi-district tournament from a few weeks ago, on the same field no less, the Trojans flipped the script and took the state semifinal victory over the Eagles. Cedar Park Christian led 1-0 after three innings, but Meridian rallied in the top of the fourth when senior catcher Ian Forbes laced a single to left field with one out. Junior Jonah Aase followed with a single, and senior Silas Berschauer hit a double to right field which brought home Forbes to tie the game. Senior Tyson Timmer followed with a walk to load the bases and two batters later it was junior Tristan Wang who drew a walk that scored Aase. It was then up to Aase on the mound, and he was up for the challenge as he struck out 15 batters for the second consecutive outing, which brought his total to 80 strikeouts on the season in just 36 innings pitched. Freshman Nate Payne came in with two outs in the sixth inning and slammed the door shut as he got the final four outs of the game to pick up the save and send the Trojans to their first state championship appearance in 40 years. Meridian will face Overlake/Bear Creek on Saturday night at 7:00 at Joe Martin Stadium.

W: Aase (3-0)

S: Payne (1)

MER: Forbes 1-3; Aase 1-2, R, BB; Berschauer 1-3, 2B, RBI.

Columbia River 2, Lynden 0

The Rapids did all of their offensive damage in the second inning by collecting three hits, bunting runners over, a lead-off walk and a bases loaded hit batsmen. It was all that was needed. The Lions couldn’t get the bats going, collecting just three hits, and fell to Columbia River in the semifinals. Despite that one tough inning, senior Lane Simonsen pitched brilliantly to keep his team in it as he went the distance while striking out nine and walking just one. Lynden got hits from sophomore Matthew Carroll and seniors Cooper Moore and River Langstraat. The Lions will close out their season Saturday morning at Joe Martin Stadium as they will face Northwest Conference rival Anacortes at 10:00 for third place in the 2A state tournament.

L: Simonsen (7-1)

LYN: Carroll 1-3; Moore 1-3; Langstraat 1-2.