Columbia Basin split the first half of the 4-game series against Treasure Valley by scores of 2-8 and 8-4.
Simon Lemke earned the win in Game 2 after a 4-run 8th inning by the Hawks.
GAME 1
Treasure Valley pitched their way to the 8-2 win in the opener. CBC was off balance at the plate for most of the game as Chukar starter Colton Sneddon went 8 innings of no-run ball. Treasure was on the board in the first off an uncharacteristically shaky outing from starter
Jack Fenton. On a tailor made double play, Basin was unable to secure the inning ending out which lead to a 2-run home run. The Chukars added one in the 3rd and one in the 5th inning before a 3-spot 6th inning put them ahead 7-0.
Alex Chamberlain drove a ball in the left center gap for the only runs of the game for CBC in the 8th inning. Treasure was able to close the door in the 9th to secure the 8-2 final score.
GAME 2
In Game 2, the Hawks turned to small-ball to try and break out of the hitting slump.
Brayden Mayencourt scored off a 2-base past ball to tie the game up at 1-1 after 1. The Chukars pulled ahead after a failed pickoff attempt sent a leadoff runner to third. Outside of two failed pickoffs, starter
Jake Robinson was solid finishing with 6 innings and just the 2 runs on 3 hits.
In the 4th,
Lance Anderson came all the way around after a leadoff single to score on another past ball. In the 5th,
Ethan Stewart bunted his way on and also came around to score on a wild pitch. A TV miscue in the 6th allowed
Trevor Dale to score giving Basin a 4-2 lead.
Treasure came back with a run in both the 7th and 8th, taking advantage of 3 walks from Lemke in relief. With the score tied at 4-4, Basin was able to break it open in the 8th with 4 runs.
Caleb Eisenhower drove a ball into the gap that brought home 2 runs in a bases loaded situation.
Cole Rohlmeier scored on a wild pitch before Mayencourt doubled home Eisenhower on a shot to the fence. Now with a comfortable lead, Lemke induced a line drive double play to close the door in the 9th for the 8-4 final.
The split moves CBC to 4-2 in East Region play (21-7 overall). They will travel to Ontario for the second half of the 4-game series on Sunday starting at 1pm MST.
