July 30: Pilots two games away from state tourney

Ashland Daily Tidings

The Ashland American Legion baseball team, also known as the Pilots, are two games away from a state tournament appearance.

The Pilots, who have to play Pepsi of Roseburg to advance, will play a two out of three game series which will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at North Mountain Park.

"I feel very confident that we will go to state," head coach Josh Hamik said. "Our record right now is 25-2. The Pepsi team is a good team, but we have beat them before and I know that we will do it again this weekend."

The Pilots have several players from the Ashland High baseball team including pitcher Bill Rowe who hit his 10th home run this past weekend.

"Rowe and Mike Allen are doing very well in the pitching position," Hamik said. "Titus Weston (who plays infield) is hitting the ball great right now and actually the entire team is hitting awesome. If we keep hitting like we have been and play defense like I know we can then I know we can win."

If the Pilots win on Thursday they will travel to Roseburg to play the second game. The third game, if necessary, will be played out Saturday in Ashland.

The winner of the best of three-game set will travel to Portland for the American Legion State Tournament.

The Pilots are seeking donations for their trip to pay for lodging, gas and food. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 185, Ashland. Checks can be made out to Ashland Pilots Baseball. For more information call Greg Weston 482-8502.

"Our goal and focus is to represent Ashland and the whole state of Oregon at the Regional Tournament this August in Wyoming," Hamik said. "This is the best team and we have so much talent. I know that we can make it back to Wyoming."