By Matt Singledecker

Springfield Times Reporter

PLEASANT HILL – Thurston High School first baseman Kyle Watson didn't win a state championship during the spring as the Colts fell to Ashland in the quarterfinals.

He feels winning the Division One Summer State Tournament this weekend at THS might help take some of the sting away from that painful defeat.

"Our goal is to win it all," Watson said. "I think we'll come out and do it. It's what we're trained for. We have to have a good mental approach, having good composure on the field. It'd be nice to win the state title. We have a good chance."

Watson was one of seven Colts who participated in the East-West Division One All-Star game at Pleasant Hill High School on Tuesday. The All-League first baseman led the East to a 10-5 victory with 4 RBIs and three hits.

The East team also had five Billies and two Springfield players, Malik Evans and T.R. Ralston. Evans threw a scoreless second inning and struck out two. Pleasant Hill's Jackson Bertsch had two Ks in the eighth and Parker Kennedy had a single.

"We hit the ball well, played good defense and pitched well. We had a lot of depth and hitting. We had it all," said Billie pitcher Jacob Andress, who threw a scoreless fifth inning.

Pleasant Hill is considered one of the favorites heading into the tournament and is co-hosting with Thurston.

For more on this and other news from around the Springfield area, including a special tourism/history tab section, be sure to pick up a copy of the July 30 issue of Springfield Times, available at news racks and stores all around the area. Look under the 'Newspaper Locations' link on this site to find out where. To subscribe to the paper, call 541-741-7368 or stop by 741 Main St.