ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The temperate Southeast Alaska climate affords its high schools a longer baseball season, and it shows. Between them, Sitka and Juneau have won six of the 10 state championships ever held, so it's only fitting that both schools were in the semifinals Friday.
The Crimson Bears faced West Valley, a team in search of its first finals appearance. On the second pitch of the game, Dylan Baker greeted the Wolfpack with a home run, making the score 1-0 Juneau before some people even got back from the hot-dog line.
The Crimson Bears also hasn't allowed a run in two state tournament games. Lance Ibesate, Baker and Keith Flint turning a double play.
Vinnie Isturris put the game out of reach at the top of the 7th inning with a solo shot, making the final score 4-0 and sending Juneau on to a fourth state title game.
Sitka's opponent Friday was defending champion Dimond. The Lynx led 1-0 in the 4th inning, stopping a line drive by Michael Matz to protect that lead.
