In previous years, the playoff format was that the team that took 1st place in league automatically went to the championship tournament as the #1 seed while the 2nd & 3rd place teams played a three game series with the winner going as the #2 seed from the North.  The new format involves the top four teams of the region playing a double elimination tournament with the winner going as the #1 seed to the NWAACC Championship Tournament. 

With the new format in effect for the 2009 playoffs, the Trojans in 3rd place faced the 2nd place Tritons of Edmonds CC on Friday May 15th at 3pm, while 1st place Skagit Valley College Cardinals faced the 4th place Bulldogs of Bellevue College at 6pm. The Playoff Tournament was held at Skagit Valley College in Mt. Vernon due to them taking 1st place in league play.  No matter how the Cardinals did in the playoff tournament, they would attend the 2009 NWAACC Baseball Championship Tournament, it just depends on if they go as the #1 seed or the #2 seed.  

The Trojans not only had a strong offense against the Tritons but also great defense and pitching.  Keith Campbell was the starting pitcher and had 8 stirke-outs. The Tritons ptiching staff struggled early on in the game with their starting pitcher not lasting very long after walking in Everett’s first run.  The Trojans scored in every inning except 1 and the game only went 8 innings due to the 10 run rule after 7.  With the 13-0 win over the Tritons, the Trojans were to face the winner of the Skagit Valley/Bellevue game, which turned out to be Bellevue, on Saturday afternoon.  Skagit and Edmonds would play each other at noon on Saturday, with the loser done with their season.  Skagit Valley beat Edmonds 3-2. 

The Trojans played Bellevue and struggled with offense (1 run on 7 hits – the run was in the first inning) and pitching – starting pitcher David Benson got the loss and only 4 strikeouts, losing 10-1. This loss sent the Trojans to the loser bracket to play Skagit Valley about 1/2 hour after the completion of their previous game.  Arlo Evasick was the starting pitcher for this game and pitched a complete game and had 11 strike-outs.  With great defense and an early jump on Skagit Valley pitcher Ludtke, the Trojans held the Cardinals to 6 hits and only 1 run, which they didn’t get until the 7th.  On 5 hits and 4 runs, the Trojans put themselves into the championship series with Bellevue to take place Sunday afternoon.

The Trojans had to win the next two games against the Bulldogs to be the #1 seed from the North.  The first game started at 12pm and the Trojans were the designated home team for this series. The Bulldogs got out to a fast lead on a struggling Trojans pitching staff. Starter Bryce Avila only last 2 innings and had zero strikeouts, followed by Kevin Higgenbotham, Alex Clement and Joe Norris.  Not only did the Trojans stuggle in pitching, offense was also hard to come by having only 5 hits to Bellevue’s 11.  The Trojans couldn’t contant the Bulldogs and lost the first game 11-1. With this loss, the Bulldogs go onto the NWAACC Championship Tournament as the #1 seed from the North, Skagit Valley College goes as the #2 seed, and the Trojans have the season ended. 

It wasn’t the way the team wanted their season to end, but they had a great season. It was fun to watch them play and fans can’t wait til next season. Unfortunately, we have to say good bye to the sophomores – Kyle McGregor, Nick Hammon, David Benson, Arlo Evasick, Chance Hargrove, Joey Petosa, Cody Atkinson, Matt McCorkle, Curt Nelson, & Mike Malland, as they move on next year.  We want to wish them Good Luck in their future endeavors and hope they know they will always be a Trojan! With a good group of freshmen coming back next season and with the prospective recruiting class that the coaches are looking to bring in, the 2010 season looks to be very exciting. 

Great Season Guys!