Douglas College's first-ever regional berth in the Northwest community college baseball playoffs was shortlived.
After a program historymaking final-inning rally win over Skagit Valley College last Monday, Douglas went two-up and two-down in the four-team, double-knockout tournament at Bellevue last weekend.
Douglas showed its nerves in the opener, falling 9-2 to the host college, garnering just six hits while committing five errors.
Trailing 9-0 in the ninth inning, Matt Ney drove in the first run for the Royals with his first double of the season.
Bradley Clarke scored a second run in the inning for Douglas on a bases-loaded walk.
On Saturday, Douglas lost a squeaker to Edmonds Community College 9-8 and were eliminated.
Leading 7-2 heading into the sixth inning, Douglas could not hold the lead, giving up two runs in the bottom of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before surrendering the game-winning run in the ninth.
Sheldon Sinnott batted in four runs against Edmonds, including a double and his first home run of the year.
Clarke went four-for-four at the plate, including a double, with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. James Zamko also smacked a double.
Starting pitcher Sean Callegari allowed four hits and gave up eight hits in six innings for Douglas.
Scott Piesche came on in relief of Callegari and gave up four runs on four hits before giving way to Thomas Lefebyre, who was tagged with the loss, allowing five hits and charged with the game-winning run.
A week earlier, Douglas played arguably the program's game of the year, fashioning a 10-run rally in the seventh inning to defeat Skagit Valley 15-7 to earn a first-time spot in the playoffs.
Daniel Altoe came in on one day's rest and pitched three scoreless innings to secure the win.
Shayne Kelly went five of six at the plate with five RBIs to lead the program into the regional final four.
