EPHRATA — On senior night where three seniors were recognized, the Ephrata Tigers (4-15) defeated the Quincy Jacks (7-14) 10-0 Tuesday evening. In addition to the win and seniors, the Tigers also took an opportunity to recognize former player Jett Johnson, who passed away two years ago in a car accident.  

Tigers Head Coach David Tempel was thrilled for his team following the win.  

“I'm feeling really good, really proud of our guys,” he said. “Playing a rival on senior night, there's a lot of emotion for these seniors who have put in the time, and then also with their classmate who passed two years ago, Jett Johnson and the ceremony before the game, there was a lot of emotion, and so it took us a few innings get going. But it's always good to get a win, especially against your rival.” 

Like most senior nights, the Tigers took time just before the game to individually recognize their senior players, who were playing in their final home game. One by one, Braiden Baltz, Elijah Davis and Grayson Webb were called to centerfield with their family alongside them. 

Finally, Heidi Johnson and her family were welcomed to the field and gifted a custom plaque dedicated to Jett’s memory. Since his passing, the Tigers baseball team have taken steps to honor his memory, Tempel said. Whether it’s wearing his number on their practice shirts or hanging his jersey in the dugout, it was important to them to continually honor him each season.  

“Jett was a special individual and loved baseball,” Tempel said. “I thought this was a very classy and special gesture by the senior class parents to make a plaque, and we'll have him with us forever.” 

Game recap 

The Jacks and the Tigers met just a week prior in Quincy. The result went in favor of QHS in a tight 3-2 win. It looked as if this game had the makings of another competitive game after they each went scoreless through the first four innings.  

Strong pitching by the Tigers’ Cooper Vasquez and the Jacks’ Ashton Barnes Keller limited both teams offensively. However, Ephrata broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with four runs.  

After Mitchell Johnson doubled on a line drive that scored Andrew Rowlands, the Tigers were off to the races offensively. Shortly after, Johnson got home too, but the Tigers had two outs against them. Despite that, Caleb Froewiss and Davis each got home to make it 4-0 heading into the sixth inning.  

Vasquez made swift work in the top of the sixth, throwing out three straight batters. From there, they took over on offense where they would erupt for six runs to seal the game. Sealing the game was Dayne Holland, who singled on a fly ball to right field, which helped Charles Poirrier get home for their 10th run of the game.  

“The game before we played these guys was really tight and when we started to run away with it, I got super excited,” Davis said. “Being a part of that was awesome. Then on top of seeing a teammate go ahead and get an oppo taco single and get the game winner, that was awesome.” 

According to Tempel, a good part of the game came down to who was going to win the pitching battle.  

“Ashton Barnes Keller is a great pitcher,” Tempel said. “We just had to kind of wait him out. Ultimately, the guys strung some great at bats together late in the innings, we took advantage of a couple of timely errors, but we had some really good barrels, and it's just a testament to those guys and what they're practicing and doing every single day – trying to keep improving and keep increasing the standard.” 

Vasquez pitched all six innings, allowing two hits, zero runs and striking out 12 batters. Keller pitched for five innings, allowing three hits, four runs and striking 11 batters.  

“Ashton brings us as many opportunities as we can to win ball games. It's the execution on defense and getting things dialed in on offense as well, too, that we need to have happen. Really good start, but it's seven innings of baseball, and we let teams beat us in two innings, and that just hurts,” Jacks Head Coach David Garza said. 

For the Jacks, their focus going forward will be flushing this loss and trying to rebound Saturday when they travel to play Grandview at 11 a.m. to wrap up the regular season.  

“There has to be a complete hard reset for these guys, and their minds have to completely let go of what just happened and go back to the team that was starting to catch on and work together as a unit, and that's what we need to focus on,” Garza said.  

The Tigers also finish their season on the road when they travel to Ellensburg Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. This season has not been easy for the Tigers, but their faith has not been lost, Tempel said.  

“They've kept pushing, they've kept grinding. We've got one more league contest this weekend, and then we'll get into next week with the playoffs. I keep telling them anything can happen, and this is a great time to get hot,” he said.  

An infectious smile 

For those who would like to learn more about Jett Johnson’s impact on the Tigers program, feel free to check out a previously published story from the Columbia Basin Herald: https://bit.ly/JettJohnson 

BOX SCORE: 

QNCY: 0-0-0-0-0-0: 0 

EPHT: 0-0-0-0-4-6: 10 

    The Johnson family stands at center field to receive a plaque dedicated to the memory of Jett Johnson. Johnson, who passed away two years ago, would have been a senior this season.
  

    The Tigers’ Cooper Vasquez (2) throws his next pitch against the Quincy Jacks during their game Tuesday.
  

    The Jacks’ Caleb Kukes (3) celebrates with the dugout after hitting a single in the first inning against the Ephrata Tigers.
  

    After making a diving catch in the outfield to give the Jacks their third out, Andrew Rowlands is greeted by teammates in the dugout.
  

    Ej Mora (22) steps into his swing while at bat for the Quincy Jacks.
  

    Braiden Baltz (6) for the Tigers sprints toward third base during their game against the Jacks on Tuesday.
  

    Ashton Barnes Keller (10) uncorks his next pitch while on the mound against the Ephrata Tigers on Tuesday.