Columbia Basin defeated Blue Mountain in a pair of games by scores of 14-6 and 17-7.
Macao Jackson picked up her NWAC leading 12th win of the season while
Graci Brady was able to steer the ship home for the Game 2 win.
Blue Mountain struck first in Game 1 with a late inning 3-run home run that just crept over the left center fence bringing home a couple of early walks by Jackson. Basin was able to counter right back with 3 of their own in the first with a 3-run shot from Raymond, her first of the day. CBC picked up some steam in the second as
Madi Olson belted her NWAC leading 15th home run, a grand slam, to give the Hawks a commanding 8-3 lead.
Jackson was able to settle into the middle innings allowing just 1 run on the next four frames. Meanwhile,
Stephanie Bryson added a 2-run home run in the 4th before Blue Mountain was able to scratch 2 runs across in the 6th looking to avoid the early ending but CBC came right back with 4 runs to end it including a 2-RBI double from
Maya Torrez.
Kendra Hart was able to put it away on an RBI ground out bringing home Torrez for the 8-run rule.
In Game 2, the Timberwolves were able to score 2 runs in the first as Brady tried to shake off some command issues. A pair of RBI base hits from Raymond and Jackson had the lead right back in Brady's hands and she would not give it up again.
Olson doubled in 2 runs in the 2nd inning to help extend the lead 6-2. A couple of sac flys from
Kendra Hart helped CBC keep Blue Mountain at arm's length through 3 innings 8-3. An early 4th inning error allowed Blue to capitalize and bring the game back to just an 8-6 lead but the Hawks exploded for 9 runs in the bottom of the frame.
Keena Kay kicked the party off with a pinch hit walk that plated Jackson. Bryson then just missed another home run to left but still was able to clear the bases on a double. Hart then brought her home and was immediately scored by
Ashlynn Nixon's single. The cherry on top came when Raymond again sent another deep blast to center field for the 3-run home run to give the Hawks a 17-6 lead.
Brady allowed only 1 run to score in the 5th before getting some help on a runner appeal to third base for a fly ball double play and then recording the final out on her way to the 17-7 win in 5 innings.
The wins help Basin move to 19-7 (12-4 East Region) but dropped two spots in the RPI to 8th due to a lowering in strength of schedule. They will travel to Yakima to compete in the Crossover where they will face Clackamas, Douglas, Highline and Grays Harbor before returning home for a showdown against Walla Walla on Tuesday.
