Columbia Basin split the opening double header of the four-game series against Spokane. The Hawks were able to take Game 2 6-1 after a rough opener that saw Spokane win 7-2.
GAME 1
Both aces took the hill in Game 1 as
Jack Fenton squared off against WSU committ Troy Shepard for Spokane. Fenton was solid on the day allowing only 3 earned runs over 6.2 innings. A few errors in the second inning lead to a 3-run lead for Spokane early. Basin struggled with the offspeed pitches at the plate as they were unable to get any momentum through 6 innings.
Kevin Brekke was able to get the Hawks on the board in the 7th with a 2-RBI single making it 6-2. The Sasquatch were able to avoid trouble most of the game as Basin stranded 12 base runners in the contest.
Chase Hansen came on for 2.1 innings of relief allowing no earned runs but Spokane was able to close it out with the 7-2 final.
GAME 2
A much better appearance at the plate in Game 2 saw CBC score 2 in the first inning as
Alex Chamberlain plated
Xavier Streadbeck on a sac fly and the
Elliott Taylor sent a double in the gap that brought home Chamberlain. Starter, and WSU commit,
Jake Robinson cruised through 6 innings of work allowing just 2 infield hits and striking out 6.
With 2 outs and
Wyatt Lizama on second, Streadbeck connected on a 3-1 pitch that glanced off the glove of the second baseman. Lizama took advantage and came around to score what should of been the third run of the game but a phantom call came in that Lizama had missed home plate. Adamant that he had touched home plate, Lizama protested in the dugout which earned him an ejection. CBC attempted a protest as video replay showed that Lizama did indeed touch home plate but it was not accepted as a judgment call cannot be protested.
In the top of the 7th, Robinson ran into some trouble after a failed pickoff allowed runners to move up to second and third with 1 out. Robinson was then lifted for
Simon Lemke who was tasked with getting out of the jam. Lemke was able to get a punch out and then made a dazzling play on a high bouncing comebacker that he snagged and made a strong throw just in time to get out of the jam.
Hagen Bowen singled with one out in the 7th and immediately stole second. Streadbeck just missed a single to the right side but was able to move Bowen into scoring position. Brekke then worked a 6 pitch walk and also stole second setting the table for
Hayden Matray. Matray fell down 0-2 immediately but was able to foul off 3 pitches before a wild pitch scored Bowen. Four more foul balls later, Matray finally connected on a pitch that was driven to the wall in right-center for an RBI triple. Chamberlain then brought him home with a single of his own to make it 5-1.
Cole Rohlmeier later scored on a wild pitch in the 8th for the final insurance run before lemke slammed the door shut for the 6-1 win.
CBC will travel to Spokane for the second half of the series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1pm.
