Youthful Kennewick races past Mt. Spokane to extend charmed season into 3A championship

Sophomore Ambrose Driver got the start and didn't disappoint for the youthful Lions. MCC MVP Danny Dickinson closed the final frame

PASCO, Wash. — Kennewick's four-run fourth inning gave it enough of a cushion to hold on and beat Mt. Spokane in the Class 3A state semifinals on Friday at Gesa Stadium.

"Ever since freshman year, it's always been a dream," Mid-Columbia Conference player of the year Danny Dickinson said.

The Lions (25-3) face 12-seed Mercer Island (18-6) in the 3A state title on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Kennewick last reached the championship game in 2008 and won under head coach A.J. Marquardt.

(Washington high school baseball playoff scores, brackets: 2022 state semifinal live updates, results, how to watch)

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That was years before Lenny Ayres took over, a Kennewick grad who spent three seasons in the minors after being drafted in 1989. Ask Ayres coming into the season? He would have never guessed the Lions would be this dominant. Especially with a handful of seniors and starting 1-2 pitching punch .

Sophomore hurler Ambrose Driver got the call to start and backed it up for the Lions, who have four rostered seniors. Dickinson, a senior, is the team's lead-off hitter and recorded the final two outs as a relief pitcher.

"I'm a little shaken up here, I mean, wow," Ayres said. "They're young, they fought so hard all year and they get to play for a state championship. It's unbelievable, really cool.

"I've never been around a team that loves each other more."

KENNEWICK 110 400 0 — 6 8 3

MT. SPOKANE 101 000 0 — 2 6 3

--Andy Buhler; @AndyBuhler.