Bulldogs stop Dragons 2-0 in first NE playoff round

Colfax and St. George's locked up in a close battle Saturday at McDonald Park in the first round elimination game. Colfax senior Nate Akesson took the win after dueling with St. George's senior Xander Workman.

The decider came in the third inning when Bulldog senior Kelen Becker tagged a two-run double for the Bulldogs. That plate battle featured two baseball players who left big marks during the winter's NE basketball campaign.

Becker's hit was one of just four by Colfax in the game and scored the only two runs of the game.

Akesson allowed the Dragons just two hits and struck out 11 batters.

Layne Gingerich came out to get the last SG batter in the top of the seventh inning.

Other hitters for Colfax were Gingerich, Eric Akesson and Evan Henning.

Colfax, which was the number-two finisher on the south side of the NE league, is one of four teams to advance to the next NE round Saturday at Medical Lake.

That will feature matchups for Colfax and the three other winners from last Saturday's playoff action.

Asotin, the top team on the south side, advanced on a 4-1 win over Kettle Falls on the Panthers' field.

Also making the trip to Medical Lake Saturday will be Chewelah, a 10-0 winner over Davenport, and Northwest Christian, a 13-1 winner over Lind/Ritzville.

Saturday's action at Medical Lake will advance three teams to the following week's regional playoffs. Winners of the first-round games will play for the top regional ticket and the losers will play in an elimination game.

Colfax seniors honored at Saturday's last home game at McDonald Park included Akesson, Becker, Blake Bodey, Mason Miller, Isaiah Buri and Evan Henning.