TACOMA, Wash. -- On a beautiful sunny Saturday, the Loggers drop a pair of games to Whitworth, with game one going nine innings.
How it Happened
Game 1
Nyomi Estrada got the start in the circle for the Loggers, escaping a bases-loaded jam with three strikeouts to keep the Pirates at bay. The Pirates were the first to strike in the top of the second inning, though, as Estrada worked to limit the damage. Whitworth pushed three across the plate, making it a 3-0 game after the top of the second.
Elyssa Garcia was the first Logger baserunner in the bottom of the inning, drawing a leadoff walk. After making it to third with two outs, the Loggers couldn't bring her home, keeping it a three-run ball game.
Estrada struck out her fifth batter of the day, regrouping for a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third.
Macy Maxwell got on board in the bottom of the inning, notching the first hit of the day for the Logs. From there, a pitcher's duel ensued, with neither team scoring until the bottom of the fifth.
Alyssa Figueroa notched a hit for the Loggers with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving the Loggers a bit of momentum. Maxwell snuck a ball through the right side of the infield to put runners on first and second, setting the stage for
Claire Besancon. The Junior hit a ball to the right centerfield gap, bringing home two runs to make it 3-2 after five.
After Estrada took care of the top of the sixth and seventh innings, the Loggers still found themselves down one run.
Jazzy Allen and Figueroa continued to find success in the bottom of the lineup, as the pair of seniors got on base. With two outs, Besancon came in clutch yet again, hitting a single to center to send Allen home. This tied the game at 3 apiece, sending the game to extra innings.
Cresting 160 pitches, Estrada stayed strong, facing the minimum to give the bats a chance to win the game. She turned around with a leadoff single to start the bottom of the eighth, but the Pirates kept it at a 3-3 ball game. In the ninth, Whitworth put a run up in the top of the inning, which ended up being the deciding factor. The Pirates took game one, 4-3.
Game 2
The Pirates got off to another quick start, putting up three runs in the top of the first inning, and another three in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second, the Loggers got some runners on the base pads.
Kylie Tanimura got on base with a single up the middle,
Olivia Boures got on thanks to an error by the Pirates' second baseman, and a
Brenna Flannery walk loaded the bases. Besancon lined out to center, but another Pirate error allowed Tanimura to sneak home, making it a 6-1 ball game.
Lauren Perryman came in to pitch, putting up a scoreless top of the third to keep the Logger momentum rolling. Catcher
Kayla Lester caught a Pirate base runner stealing, ending the inning as Perryman faced the minimum. The Pirates put another run up in the fourth, but the Loggers put pressure on immediately. Tanimura got hit by a pitch, and Boures singled to center to move Tanimura to third. With runners on the corners, the Loggers left two stranded, keeping it a 7-1 ball game.
The Pirates put up another run in the top of the fourth, and three more in the sixth, but the Loggers weren't done yet. Figueroa and Boures singled to start the inning, with a Flannery double bringing home a run. Three final outs ended the game, as the Pirates took game two, 10-2.
What Happens Next
The Loggers take the field for the final time at home, celebrating senior day against Whitworth. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 am, tomorrow, April 19th.
