TACOMA, Wash. — In its final home series of the 2024 season, the Loggers honored its seniors on Sunday and looked to take the series against Pacific University.
GAME ONE: PUGET SOUND 11, PACIFIC 10
The Loggers were up 9-5 going into the top of the ninth, the Boxers took the lead 10-9, putting pressure on Puget Sound to respond in its turn at bat. With the bases loaded off a walk, and one out,
Brock Makishima was hit by a pitch bringing home a runner from third to tie the game. The Loggers were not able to get the other runners across the plate forcing extra innings.
In the 10th inning, the Loggers quickly shut down the Boxers with three quick put outs. Then it was Puget Sound's turn to try and retake the lead and secure the win. After
Cadence Ueyama walked and advanced to third on a passed ball, Pacific made the decision to intentionally walk the next two batters. The strategy didn't work as
Makana Murashige hit a deep ball to center field for a sacrifice fly to advance the runner on third for the 11-10 win.
Earlier in the game, Puget Sound held a healthy lead through four innings with steady production moving players around the bases. In the top of the fifth inning the Boxers made the game interesting with two runs scored. Puget Sound responded with two runs off of four hits in the sixth inning. It added another run in the seventh inning bringing the score to 9-5 going into the ninth.
For the game, Murashige went 5-of-6 at the plate with four RBIs, including one home run. He was followed by
Cody Hirano with three hits and two RBIs and freshman Ueyama with two hits and three runs. In total, the Loggers had 17 hits to Pacific's 10 hits.
Mason Seay got the win with his strong performance in the 10th inning.
GAME TWO: PUGET SOUND 8, PACIFIC 10
In game two of the double header, both teams were even at 4-4 through the fourth inning. The Loggers were able to match Pacific's early three runs in the first inning with a sacrifice fly by
Jack McCullar in the first inning followed by two in the second inning, off of
Davis Franklin's double. The Boxers added a run in the fourth inning taking the lead 3-4.
After Pacific picked up four runs in the seventh, the Loggers needed to put together a scoring run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Makana Murashige was once again in the mix when he singled to left field. Three batters later, Murashige was able to come home from third on an error. With two outs and two runners on base,
Cadence Ueyama doubled to center to bring home both runners closing the gap to 8-6 going into the ninth.
The Boxers added two assurance runs in the ninth off three hits for the inning to increase its lead to 9-6. The Loggers had one more chance to mount a come back. In the bottom of the ninth, with
Davis Franklin (single) and
Jack McCullar (double) on base,
Brock Makishima singled, bringing in the runners. But that would be it for Puget Sound with the game ending with a loss of 10-8.
Franklin led all Loggers at the plate with three hits and two RBIs. Ueyama ended the game with two RBIs of his own off of two hits.
Joe Schwab takes the loss going seven innings and giving up seven hits and four runs.
GAME THREE: PUGET SOUND 3, PACIFIC 11
With the series tied 1-1, both teams got off to a quick start putting multiple runs up on the scoreboard in the first inning of play. For the Loggers, Jack McCullar delivered a two-run home run to left field with Drew Kamihara scoring after getting on base with a walk. From that point it was the Boxers who kept the scoring pace with six more runs through the fourth inning. Unfortunately Puget Sound couldn't get anything going as the innings progressed.
It was not until the sixth inning that the Loggers added to its score. Senior Makana Murashige led off the inning with a single to center. With two outs, Cody Hirano doubled down the left field line to bring home Murashige and take the game score to 9-3, but that would be it for Puget Sound after finishing out the last three inning with only three hits.
The Loggers will next travel across town for a Friday and Saturday series at Pacific Lutheran University to finish the NWC regular season schedule.
