Columbia Basin dropped two close games to defending champion Linn-Benton by scores of 5-4 and 11-9. Cohen Sunich lead all CBC hitters with a 4-9 day at the plate.

GAME 1

With 7 new starters in the 2026 lineup, sophomore Branson Rozier got the ball for Game 1. Rozier was solid in his pitch-count limited start allowing 2 runs in 4 innings while striking out 5. A few bunts and a single gave Linn-Benton a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning. The Hawk hitters were right on top of the Roadrunner pitching but could not find a RBI early.

Linn-Benton tacked on 3 more in the 6th off a throwing error on a bunted ball giving them a 4-0 lead. Freshman Tristan Dodds came in relief to start the 7th and threw 3 innings of no-hit ball striking out 2.

In the bottom of the 8th, Sunich's double brought home Diego Escandon and Tate Kubena to make it 5-2. Joey Facilla then singled up the middle with the bases loaded to cut the lead to 5-4 but Basin was unable to convert the remaining 3 runners in the frame.

Despite Dodds' stellar relief, the Hawks came away empty handed in the 9th settling for the 4-5 result.


GAME 2

Righty Ambrose Driver took the mound in Game 2 and turned in a gem with 5 innings allowing no runs and scattering 7 hits. He struck out 8 in the effort including two big inning-ending punch outs to navigate around trouble.

It was CBC that struck first in the bottom of the opening frame with an RBI triple from Sunich to left center. Facilla plated Sunich with an RBI groundout up the middle for the 2-0 lead. Driver stayed in control for 5 innings before Linn-Benton got a big inning.

A few bunt basehits and several walks by the CBC staff lead to an 8-run 6th inning. Now trailing 9-2 in the 7th, the Hawks came roaring back with 5 runs lead by 2 RBI doubles from both Sunich and Escandon to cut the lead to 9-7. 

Facilla singled in the 9th as part of a big rally to cut the score to 11-9 but with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Linn-Benton escaped with a pop fly on a 3-2 count that ended the rally just short of a big hit.

The two losses drops CBC to 0-2 to begin the year but they will turn around to face LB again on Sunday for two more as they look for their first win of the 2026 season.