Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

Their playoff dreams are over, but not without a fight.

Sequim's 15U Babe Ruth all-stars won two big games at the Washington state tournament in Ellensburg before falling to Snohomish in the semifinals just two wins from advancing to regionals.

"I think we did great - I think the boys responded well," coach Kendall Wake said. "They played some of their best baseball of the year, particularly our second game."

The Sequim squad opened the state tourney with a barn-burning 3-2 victory against Wenatchee on July 16, then faced a North Kitsap team that had beaten them twice at districts. Sequim exacted revenge, topping their neighbors from Poulsbo 4-2 on July 17.

Sequim dropped their third pool play game, a 20-5 defeat at the hands of Bothell on July 18.

With two wins in pool play, Sequim advanced to play the undefeated (3-0) Snohomish squad in Sunday's tourney semifinal, losing 15-5.

"For me (the tourney) was more about the boys playing to their potential," Wake said. "Just to see them really play well together was fantastic. It was nice to get to Sunday's championship round."

Sequim team members are Cameron Boyd, Tyler Campbell, Frank Catelli, Tyler Forshaw, Andrew Gowdy, Kenny Henning, Jake Hudson, Taylor Magnifico, Austin Middleton, Ray Montelius, Ryan Pinza, Nick Ramirez, Lane Steichen and Karsten Wake.

In Sunday's other semifinal, Bothell topped the Port Angeles-based Olympic squad, 9-6.

In other Babe Ruth action, Port Angeles hosts the North Washington Babe Ruth 14-year-olds baseball tournament, starting July 22. Games are at Volunteer Field next to the Clallam County Fairgrounds.