Ben Cox's triple turns tide in Kentwood's 3-2 win over Federal Way | Prep baseball

When Ben Cox stepped into the batter's box to pinch hit with two outs and a runner on first, his team trailing by a run, he did his best to clear his mind.

He didn't want to think about anything.

Teammate Cash McGuire told the Kentwood senior to sit on a first-pitch fastball, and he did. Cox crushed a ball that hit the yellow strip at the top of the wall in right-center field, just inches away from leaving Safeco Field.

"That would have been something amazing, but it was sweet as it was," said Cox, when asked what it would have been like to hit it out. "I'm not arguing with anything."

The triple only tied the score, but it shifted the momentum just enough to help the fourth-ranked Conquerors claim a 3-2 win over Federal Way in the Class 4A semifinals.

"We were excited after that," senior Taylor White said. "It was a whole different game."

Kentwood (20-3) advances to the title game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

While Cox provided the momentum, White delivered the victory. With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, the catcher knocked a fastball to left-center field, sparking a celebration on the infield after the walkoff winner.

"It was awesome," White said. "It's like my favorite feeling in the whole wide world."

Federal Way (18-6), which had been one of the hottest teams in the state down the stretch, struck first. After a leadoff walk to open the game, shortstop Nick Tanielu doubled off the hand-operated scoreboard in left field. The Eagles took a two-run lead after two innings.

"We came to win," Federal Way coach Danny Graham said. "We knew Kentwood was awesome. They smashed us twice, but we felt like we made the changes and had a lot more confidence."

Federal Way starter Elliot Morris kept Kentwood's powerful offense from getting a big inning, but Conks starter Austin Voth was just as dominant, giving up just three hits and striking out eight.

"You guys have no clue how good they've gotten in the last two months," Kentwood coach Jon Aarstad said of Federal Way. "They have been unbelievable."

Other semifinal

Richland 1, Shorewood 0

In a pitching duel that matched Richland, the Class 4A defending champion, against Shorewood, one of the surprises of the tournament, the Bombers did just enough to win.

Syd Hall was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, bringing home the go-ahead run for Richland (20-5).

Thunderbirds starter Blake Snell gave up just one hit and struck out eight over 5-1/3 innings. Despite the impressive performance, the junior placed the blame on his shoulders.

"Walks, walks, walks," said Snell, who walked seven. "If I just threw strikes, that's all I really had to do. Walks killed me. I really thought we could have gone all the way. Our seniors were really good."

Bombers starter Travis Fuller pitched a shutout, holding Shorewood (18-10) to six hits.