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Jul. 9 — EPHRATA — The Tillage League heads into its postseason this weekend in Ephrata, with opening games slated to begin Thursday morning. Both the Tigers Baseball Club and the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Diamond Ducks earned spots in the tournament and are gearing up for the challenges ahead. The event runs from Thursday through Sunday, featuring four games on each of the first three days and up to three games on Sunday for the championship rounds. Admission to the tournament is a $5 full-day pass, serving as a fundraiser for the summer baseball program.
Tigers Baseball Club
The Tigers arrive at the postseason with a 13-8-1 record and a solid start to their season. Although they dropped a few recent contests to the Kittitas County Cowboys and the Cashmere Bulldogs, they remain focused on bouncing back and making a deep run in the playoffs. “We were in some close games, which I think is beneficial going into a tournament—putting us in those pressure situations,” said Tigers Head Coach David Tempel. “I know we didn’t come out on the winning side of the last couple of games, but those experiences have been valuable for our guys heading into this weekend.” A key takeaway for Ephrata is to concentrate on every pitch and compete at their standard, without letting results affect their mood or body language. Tempel noted that the team has made meaningful strides mentally this summer.
As postseason play begins on Thursday, Tempel emphasized the importance of taking what the game provides and treating each pitch as a fresh opportunity for success. “In tournament settings, you’ll encounter moments you haven’t prepared for or haven’t seen often,” he said. “Being able to weather those storms is crucial for players in games that carry more meaning than typical summer matchups.” After Tuesday evening’s practice, the coach expressed confidence in the Tigers’ potential to excel this weekend. “They’ve worked all summer, and now this is the payoff—this tournament is the culmination of what we’ve been building,” Tempel said. “We’re excited to showcase our progress against strong competition throughout our league.” The Tigers’ postseason debut in the Tillage League is set for 1 p.m. against Monarch Baseball Club.
Diamond Ducks
The Diamond Ducks enter the postseason with a 10-6 record. Building momentum into the weekend, they have secured key wins over league opponents to earn their place on the bracket. “They’ve been great,” said Diamond Ducks Head Coach Hunter Lee. “We closed the regular season strong, picked up a few important wins, and earned our spot in the tournament.” The team is focused on translating that late-season momentum into continued success as they head into postseason play. The Ducks’ drive and preparation have them optimistic about their opportunities in the upcoming games.
The weekend promises competitive action as both Ephrata programs aim to make a strong showing in the Tillage League postseason, with fans invited to come out, support the teams, and contribute to the summer baseball program through the tournament gate.