by Oly Archibald

Yes, dreams do come true. Roughrider Jr. Outfielder Brian Belbin, like a lot of kids growing up, has had dreams of playing in a major league baseball park, at the plate, bottom of the 7th inning, 2 outs down by one run, with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

That was the exact scene at historic Cheney Stadium last night, where legends like Luis Apracio, Ken Griffey Junior, and Jose Canseco once lived out their dreams. To Roughrider fans, Brian Belbin was their Mike Trout when Belbin hit a screaming ground ball to the Kings Knight 2nd baseman, who bobbled the grounder and threw the ball into the Point Defiance Zoo penguin exhibit, scoring both Roughrider runners for a dramatic 6-5, fun-filled night against a young but very talented Class 1A Kings team.

Kaleb Mullen led off the 7th with a single and Colton Romero walked to put the winning runners on base. Kings took a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Roughriders came back with 2 runs in the 2nd when Josiah Gooding doubled, Colton Romero singled, and Tate Alton singled, scoring Josiah Gooding and Luke Flodstrom. The Roughriders scored 2 runs in the 4th inning to tie the score at 4-4 when Flodstrom and Alton walked and Alex Angevine hit a clutch single.

The Roughriders blew a chance to score in the 5th inning when leadoff hitter Ezra Townsend crushed a shot to right-center field for a triple. The Kings retired the next 3 Roughrider batters, and Townsend was left stranded. The Knights scored one run in the top of the 7th for the 5-4 lead until Belbin hit the RBI 2-run grounder to end the game. A jubilant Manager Zac Moore was happy for Brian Belbin and Moore said, “Brian is the nicest kid around. I am so happy for him!”

It was a very memorable game for everyone involved. Skipper Zac Moore did a great job getting as many of his kids as he could into the game. The Roughriders will find out their district pairing Sunday afternoon. There is soccer action tonight; Port Angeles is at Bremerton, and Sequim is at Kingston. Both games kick off at 6:45.

In fastpitch action, Sequim is at Kingston, and North Kitsap is at Port Angeles. Both the Olympic League golf tournaments and tennis tournaments take place this weekend.

Pictured:  Kings outstanding short stop Caden Kennelly joined Roughriders Alex Angevine and Brian Belbin on the KONP Newsradio Post Game show at Cheney stadium.

Above photo: A view of Cheney Stadium from the press box were Oly Archibald and John Hayden called the game for Newsradio KONP.