>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

JOSEPH — By the skin of our teeth.

That’s how Joseph coach Tony Gross summed up his Eagles’ 9-8 victory versus Pine Eagle Wednesday. It was that close, by the skin of their teeth.

“They just about let it slip through their fingers,” Gross said. “But they held on and finished ‘er off.”

Trenton Neil certainly did in the seventh inning, forcing two weak shots into the infield off Spartan bats, then closed it with a strikeout, earning the victory.

K.C. Kunkle, J.R. Masters and Kyle Stewart each whacked doubles, Corby Makin (2-for-2, two walks) belted two triples, and Neil was 2-for-3 at the plate, too, helping Joseph escape.

“We had the momentum early on, then Pine Eagle got the momentum, and they rallied back,” Gross said.

“Baseball is all about the momentum, once you get it rolling. And it’s a little difficult sometimes to shut it off.”

But there was Neil, slamming the door in the seventh, allowing Joseph to play Imbler Friday. The winner will face the Union-Elgin winner.

“We just gotta regroup now and get ready,” Gross said. “These are the end-of-the-season games.

“Everybody wants to go to district, everyone wants to make it to the postseason.”

Pine Eagle        101 222 0 —    8 13 3

Joseph              331 200 x —    9  8  5

WP — Neil. LP — Marks.

 2B — Stewart, Kunkle, Masters. 3B —Makin (2); PE, Tamaka.

Results from Saturday

Game 1

Joseph                  510 45  —    15 14 2

Pine Eagle             001 00   —  1  2  0

 WP — Neil. LP — Marks.

2B — Stewart. 3B — Neil. HR — Makin. RBI — Makin (3), Neil (3).

Game 2

Joseph                230 444 —    17 16 5

Pine Eagle           000 043 —    7   7  4

 WP — Stewart. LP —Haney.

2B — J, Garrett, Edison, Martin (2); PE, Kingsbury, Haney. HR — J, Stewart. RBI — Makin (3), Neil (3).