BREAKING NEWS: Pepsi Bottlecaps beat North Coos 11-8, are two wins away from state title

Pepsi 11
North Coos 8

NORTH BEND — While the rest of us dread laundry day, the Pepsi Bottlecaps don’t so much mind it.

First of all, they don’t have to do it — Bottlecap Blayne Sterling’s mother has been the team’s official laundry lady during its run in the double-elimination American Legion “A” state tournament, which included another victory Monday at Clyde Allen Field.

Plus, the clean uniforms mean Pepsi has survived yet another day. The Bottlecaps are now two wins away from a state title, and Pepsi coach Richie Charles said there’s no fresher smell than that of victory.

“It’s been great,” Charles said. “Three times we’ve faced elimination, and to send somebody else packing feels good.”

Pepsi (25-11) beat North Coos 11-8 Monday to advance to play Ashland — the team that six-runned the Bottlecaps in the fourth inning of an 11-6 win on Friday — at noon today. The Pilots did their part in setting the stage for the rematch by defeating North Medford 12-1 Monday. The winner of today’s crucial contest will play the Mavericks in the championship game at 4 p.m.

The bigger picture is that Pepsi must win three straight games in two days to wear the state crown ... it has two victories to go.

“The kids have been talking about it,” Charles said. “They want this.”

The Bottlecaps owned an 8-4 lead by the seventh inning before the Waterfront scored three runs to reduce their deficit. Pepsi responded with a three-run eighth inning, but Charles said his team could have pulled away even earlier had it cashed in on more opportunities.

“We left 16 runners on base,” Charles said. “That hurt us.

We had some times to put (North Coos) away, but unfortunately we didn’t get that big hit, but we grinded it out.”

Starting pitcher Chris Case earned the win in three innings of work, striking out five and allowing two hits and four runs. Reliever Jay Tovey, whom Charles applauded for his willingness to play with an injured shoulder, gave up four hits and fanned two in four innings. Tyler Bullock allowed three hits and a run in the eighth.

Cameron Newell went 3-for-4, Vince Ampi was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, Blake Cupp scored two runs, Bullock finished 2-for-4 and Sterling tripled. Ampi earned the save on the mound, striking out two and not allowing a hit in the ninth.

Charles was not the kid who collected soda bottle caps, but he said he’s enjoyed watching his Bottlecaps amass victories and build camaraderie.

“We just want to keep spending time together,” Charles said.