With two outs and John Bodenhammer on base representing the winning run for Tahoma, Tanner Anthony stepped into the batter’s box and ripped the first pitch over the center field fence, propelling his team to an 8-6 win over Thomas Jefferson on Wednesday.

First pitch. Fastball. All the Bears needed was the ball to go deep enough to drive Bodenhammer in.

“I was hoping the run would just score,” Anthony said. “Then it picked up again and I could tell that it was gone.”

With the win, Tahoma improved to 9-4 in South Puget Sound League North play, and it helped the Bears post-season aspirations.

“Just one game closer to the playoffs,” Anthony said. “Ultimately that’s where we want to be.”

Tahoma tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Connor Cloyd dropped a single into center field that drove in Nate Brown, who earned the win on the mound for the Bears.

The win was also important for Tahoma after a 5-1 loss to division leader Kentwood on Tuesday.