George Witkowski
For West Valley Preps

It appears as if the number 13 is lucky after all — at least in Kellis’ case.

Coach Michael Deardoff said the Cougars have been the No. 13 seed for the last three seasons. Now the program has won their home games in that role for the last two years.

This team won four of their last six to grab the No. 13 seed and home field. Kellis (17-11 overall, 11-8 regular season) jumped on top of the No. 20 Deer Valley Skyhawks (12-16 overall, 9-10) in the 5A play-in game Wednesday, and held on to post a 6-4 win.

The Cougars go on the road to face an as yet to be named opponent 11 a.m. Saturday, while Deer Valley’s season is over.

Although Kellis burst out to a 6-2 advantage after three innings, things weren’t that easy for Deardoff.

“They kept battling. We kind of felt we had an advantage because of our offense, but we knew they’d battle,” Coach Deardoff said. “Thankfully, for us, we had all of our pitchers in, and we’re fortunate to get out of that one. I stressed to them to start fast and we came out and did that."

After all, the Skyhawks scored once in the first on a strikeout with the bases loaded. The throw to first was wide and one run came home.

Kellis came right back with three runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run RBI triple from sophomore first baseman Justin Fiebbe and single from sophomore left fielder Sam Curran. The Cougars extended the lead to 5-1 an inning later on an RBI double from junior Jonathon Ornelas and a high throw into left allowing another run to score.

Deer Valley came back with a sacrifice fly in the third, and coach Greg Rice appreciated his team never-say-die spirit, that came up just a little short.

“We had base runners in place but we couldn’t get the big hit,” Coach Rice said. “They (Kellis) played good defense, and I was proud of our kids because they battled back.

Kellis added a sixth run in the third on a run-scoring single from senior catcher Nate Young.

Deer Valley would close the gap on a single from third baseman senior Dakota Nordine and an infield single.

Rice who built the team from four wins in 2015 to 10 in his inaugural season to the postseason (of sorts) this year, said the Skyhawks got a lift from everyone, especially two players.

“(Pitcher) Drake Mann kept us in and gave up one run to keep us in the game,” Rice said. “(Shortstop) Wes Hamen had two doubles and gave us a chance. I’ve got a young ballclub and we have a lot of returners (four freshmen, three sophomores and nine juniors). A lot has to do with attitude and I’m proud of our young guys coming here and getting experience.”