Red-hot Decatur baseball rolls through Peninsula
Published 1:37 pm Monday, April 13, 2026
Decatur High School’s baseball team made the trek to Sehmel Homestead Park near Gig Harbor to take on a Peninsula High School team that was supposed to be a real test for the Gators in the midst of their league season.
Decatur hadn’t played a game since March 30, which caused a bit of concern for skipper Chris Fox.
“I was worried, we hadn’t seen live pitching. I knew coming in that this team was tough. … They hit the ball and do a lot of things well,” Fox said.
But as Decatur has done all year, the Gators (8-0) rolled through the Seahawks (9-2), winning 9-2 on April 10 — and made it look effortless. For the second straight year, the Gators have started 8-0, but this year’s team has a different dynamic, according to Fox. It’s one that can make them a real threat.
“We were just good in every facet of the game. It’s complete buy-in from these guys, that’s what this is right now. This is more of a team than I have had at Decatur. They love each other, they fight for each other. There is not a thing wrong with this team right now,” Fox said.
Junior Ethan Flavel was handed the ball for just the second time this season, and the right hander can be an added element to the starting rotation along with Tyler Buol.
“It felt great. My mindset was just to dominate today,” Flavel said.
Flavel went five innings, allowed one hit and struck out seven on just 78 pitches. With Flavel on the mound, Peninsula reached second base just one time. Flavel had dealt with injury issues that hampered him during the back end of last season and dealt with arm issues earlier this season.
“It’s everything I wanted to see from Ethan. The only person that can beat Ethan, is Ethan. If he is on, he is one of the best pitchers in the state,” Fox said. “He did exactly what we needed him to do. Keeping him healthy is the key to our season. We need him.”
The junior pitcher was very candid following his second start on the difficulties he faced last season.
“Last year was a mental struggle for me, not being able to contribute for my guys. That whole thing was just terrible. Coming back out here and showing what I can do is just great,” Flavel said.
Decatur’s offense has been rolling. The Gators collected 11 hits, but the big inning came in the third, when six runs scored. There weren’t any doubles or home runs in the inning, but a flurry of singles, walks and hit by pitches aided the Gators’ big inning.
Juan Leal, Dylan Rano and Flavel all had multi-hit games for Decatur as the bats are peaking at the right time for Fox and friends.
“Juan is unbelievable at the plate right now. He works hard and buys in. Our execution and at-bats right now are really, really good. Once again it is buy-in to what we are teaching. It’s really, really big,” Fox said.
Tyler Buol threw a scoreless inning without a runner reaching base. Dylan Reano pitched the seventh inning with Decatur up 9-0. Peninsula scored two runs on three hits, but Reano was able to strike out three in his one inning of work. The buy-in Fox described was echoed by Flavel. The Gators have been surging the last two seasons, and this year, the Gators have deep state tournament aspirations.
“The last couple years we weren’t as together as we are this year. To be together and be brothers is amazing. It is just great,” Flavel said.
At 8-0 Decatur has a real opportunity to finish the year undefeated. Todd Beamer High School is next on the ledger as that series begins on April 13. Auburn Mountainview is the only team in the league left on the schedule with a record over .500. Tahoma is the Gators’ last game of the season, which will be a heavyweight fight on May 7.
