Aberdeen squeezes past Shelton to keep pace atop league

Published 1:30 am Friday, April 3, 2026

ABERDEEN–Some small ball mixed with a stellar pitching performance proved to be fruitful for Aberdeen in a 2-1 win over Shelton on Thursday at Ken Waite Field in Aberdeen.

The Bobcats (5-1 overall, 3-0 2A Evergreen) trailed early as the Highclimbers (4-3, 0-3) had a runner on third with one out after an Aberdeen error.

Shelton cashed in the run when Silas Hoff singled to left to score pitcher Daniel Crossan with the game’s first run.

Cam Winans then drew a walk against Bobcats starting pitcher Bubba Jones, but Jones got out of the jam when he got Jacob Jacoby to ground into a double play to end the frame.

Aberdeen responded with a an unearned run as Jones – on base after getting hit by a Crossan pitch leading off the bottom of the first – came in to score on an error off a ground ball from center fielder Aidan Baker.

Catcher Sam Schreiber followed with a single and Aberdeen had runners at second and third with just one out, but Crossan struck out the next two batters to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Pitching would take over through the next five innings as Jones and Crossan put up zeroes on the scoreboard.

Jones had plenty of help from his defense, including a diving catch on a low, sinking liner by left fielder Donovaan Hedgpeth with one out and a runner on first in the seventh.

Jones then got Michael Carlson to ground into a fielder’s choice ground out to shortstop Mason Hill to end the top of the seventh with the game still tied.

It wouldn’t stay tied for long as Hedgpeth doubled to left and, after Crossan struck out third baseman Gabe Matthews for the first out, advanced to third on a straight steal.

On the very next pitch, Bruner got the bunt down as Hedgpeth broke for home plate, executing a picture-perfect squeeze play to earn the 2-1 walk-off win.

Aberdeen players rushed out of the dugout and met Bruner near first base in celebration.

Jones allowed one unearned run on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in the complete-game victory.

Shelton left five runners on base in the game and had at least one runner reach base in six of the game’s seven innings.

Aberdeen had just three hits in the game and were unable to draw a walk against Crossan, who struck out eight in the loss.

With the win, the Bobcats sit in a three-way tie for first place in the 2A Evergreen Conference with Tumwater and W.F. West.

Aberdeen takes some time off for Spring Break and will be back in action at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Mark Morris High School.

Shelton 100 000 0 – 1 6 2

Aberdeen 100 000 1 – 2 3 1

WP: Jones (7 IP, R, 0ER, 6H, 2BB, 5K). LP: Crossan (6.2 IP, 2R, ER, 3H, 8K).

Leading hitters: Shelton – Hoff (1-3, RBI); Crossan (1-2, R); Turnbow (1-2); Winans (1-2); Wagner (1-3); Cahoon (1-1). Aberdeen – Hedgpeth (1-3, 2B, R, SB); Schreiber (1-3); Edwards (1-2, SB); Baker (0-3, RBI); Bruner (0-2, RBI).