Eastside Catholic made a comeback reminiscent of the 2012 playoffs in the Metro League tournament semi-finals against O’Dea on Wednesday, winning 9-6 after trailing 6-0 early in the game.

But a protest from the Irish regarding pitchers and innings has sent the Crusaders to a Friday loser-out game against West Seattle at 4 p.m.

WIAA Rule 51.5.0, entitled “PITCHER LIMITATION”, states the following:

When a pitcher pitches four (4) innings or more in a contest which began and ended onthe same day, the pitcher shall not pitch again until two (2) calendar days have elapsed.

One (1) pitch constitutes an inning.

The following examples indicate when a pitcher could pitch: Monday-­‐Thursday, Tuesday-­‐Friday, Wednesday-­‐Saturday, Thursday-­‐Monday, Friday-­‐Monday, Saturday-­‐Tuesday.

Coach Kyle Larsen and his defending 3A state runner-up squad thought they had their ticket to state punched again before receiving the news on the ruling.

Instead, his team will need to regroup quickly in order to stave off elimination, with two routes remaining to the state tournament, both of which begin with a win against West Seattle.

The winner of another loser-out game between Chief Sealth and Seattle Prep will be waiting in another winner-to-state game, while the fourth place Metro League finisher will face the second place team from KingCo for the district’s fourth and final berth to state.