4/1/2026

(Tumwater HS) Cross-town rivals met for the first time this baseball season, with both teams coming ready to play. Black Hills came into the game after an impressive 11-10 win over Bremerton and was 2-3 on the season. Tumwater, on the other hand, was 3-2 coming into this game and was just off a 16-run performance against Woodland. Both teams’ defenses were on display all game, and just a couple of plays would be the difference maker in the end.

This was a big test for Black Hills to see where they stand in the 2A EvCo as they are facing a program that has lived in the state tournament for years on end and even won back-to-back championships just a few years ago. The Wolves played impressive baseball and did not allow the high-powered offense of Tumwater to get going. Tumwater, on the other hand, is trying to get back to the mountain top of 2A baseball, and every game will matter, especially in a league rivalry game.

Tumwater 4, Black Hills 1

Tumwater Braeden Konrad opened the game by retiring the first three batters he saw, including a strikeout, and he only needed a few pitches to get it done. On the offensive end, Peyton Davis led off for the T-Birds and delivered a double in his first at-bat of the game. He would advance to third on a groundout from Luke Overbay but would not get home as Black Hill’s pitcher Elijah Simpson struck out Jimmy Womach to get the Wolves out of the inning unscathed.

Konrad would continue to deal in the second inning, and the only runner to get on base was Kodey Miller, who was hit by a pitch and sent to second base on a balk. No damage was dealt, though, and Tumwater would go back up to bat once more. Henry Arthur for Tumwater would get a single and land himself on first base, but with two out, he went to steal and was thrown out by Wolves catcher Brody Rice and tagged by short stop Cooper Parkinson.

In the third, Elijah Simpson led things off with a single which would be the start of the eventual first score of the game for either team as Braeden Konrad would walk three out the next four batters. The final walk with bases loaded would give Black Hills the  1-0 lead. Tumwater would look to respond in the bottom of the third and after a couple of walks had runners in scoring position. However, Simpson was aware of the steal attempt by Peyton Davis who was on second base, and turned around at the exact time that Davis was going to run. As Davis retreated to the base, it was too late, and Simpson picked him off to end the inning.

In the fourth, Elijah Simpson would get walked with two out, and Asher Straus came to the plate. With the count being 3-1, he took a pitch that he thought was a ball that would have walked him. Unfortunately, the ump deemed the pitch a strike. Simpson, who was on first base, also thought it was a ball, so he started walking towards second. Tumwater realized that he was off base and threw him out before Simpson could get back in time. The bottom of the fourth is where Tumwater started to go to work. With two out, Wyatt Chase would get a single, followed by a hit-by-pitch to Henry Arthur. A wild throw would advance runners to second and third, and they would come home on a 2-run RBI single from Jayden Stacy. Max Bunn would then get walked, and Kade Acker would send Bunn home with another RBI single for the T-Birds, who took the 3-1 lead.

The two teams settled down over the next couple of innings, and Tumwater’s defense did not allow Black Hills to get back into the game. Baylor Olson would come into the game for the T-Birds and put together a nice performance with three strikeouts in just two innings. Elijah Simpson remained on the mound the entire game and did not allow a run until the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, on the first pitch he saw, Jimmy Womach unleashed a massive home run that was a no-doubter straight to center field. This would give Tumwater the 4-1 lead.

Tumwater just needed three outs to come away with the win, and they did just that. Luke Overbay closed out the game for the Thunderbirds and recorded three quick outs, including a strikeout to send Tumwater home with the victory.

Thorbeck’s MVP Award

The Thorbecks MVP of the game was tough to give out as there were many contributors to the win for Tumwater, but in the end, it went to Jimmy Womach, who went 1-3 with a homerun that was the dagger in the game to knock off their rivals. Womach also had a throwout in the game and some great play at the catcher position.

Notable Performances

Tumwater:

• Braeden Konrad (P) – 4 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, 1 HPB, 5 Ks
• Jimmy Womach – 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Jayden Stacy – 1-2, 2 RBIs
• Kade Acker – 1-2, 1 RBI

Black Hills:

• Elijah Simpson (P) – 6 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 HPB, 4 Ks
• Elijah Simpson – 1-2, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 Score
• Asher Straus – 0-1, 2 BB

For the full game replay, click here (Subscription Required)

ESN Post Game Show

Game Highlights

Jimmy Womach Hits Home Run Dead Center

Jayden Stacy 2 Run RBI Single

Brody Rice Throws out Runner with Cooper Parkinson Making the Tag