TACOMA, Wash. -- The Loggers split with the Linfield Wildcats on day one, winning an electric game one 4-3, before dropping game two 8-1.
How it Happened
Game 1
Charlie Decker got the start on the mound for the Loggers, getting off to another great start. He threw a ton of strikes early, getting into favorable counts and forcing the Wildcats to protect the plate. He finished the day going 7+ innings for the fourth straight game, only allowing two runs and striking out five along the way.
The Loggers got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, lacing three hits in a row to get traffic on the bases.
Kahiau Teruya doubled to get things going with one out, with
Ryan Spero bringing him home thanks to a single to center.
Jim O'Brien then singled to put runners on first and second, but two consecutive outs kept the ball game at 1-0 Loggers. The Wildcats struck back in the top of the third, but two strikeouts by Decker got the Loggers out of a jam to end the inning.
Teruya kept his bat hot in the bottom of the fourth inning, legging out a triple to left-center field to lead off the inning. Spero got his second RBI of the day, singling to centerfield and advancing on the throw to send the runner home. This gave the Loggers a 2-1 advantage, but the Wildcats struck back in the top of the fifth to tie the game at two apiece.
The Loggers responded immediately as
Kellen Krebs walked to open the inning.
Cooper Allen singled to put runners on first and second with no outs, setting up a platter for Teruya. Keeping his bat hot, Teruya recorded his third extra-base hit in five innings, doubling to send Krebs home. A groundout by Spero gave him his third RBI of the day, as the Loggers finished the fifth with a 4-2 lead.
Decker got out of a jam in the top of the seventh, and despite giving up a home run in the top of the eighth,
Harley Eschliman struck out the final two batters to keep it a 4-3 ball game. Eschliman stayed in the groove, striking out two more in the top of the ninth to close out the game. He picked up the save, giving the Loggers an impressive 4-3 win over the current Northwest Conference No. 2 team.
Game 2
Braden Blackwell got the start on the mound in game two, making quick work of the Wildcats in the first couple of innings. He finished the day with a career-high 6.1 innings pitched, also tying his career-high 7 strikeouts.
Teruya continued to be unstoppable at the plate, hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Krebs and
Matt Churchill both singled to put runners on the corners with one out, and despite not taking advantage of the baserunners, the Loggers still carried a 1-0 lead into the second inning.
The Wildcats responded with a solo home run in the top of the third, and a pitchers' duel ensued. The Loggers made several key defensive plays to provide some support to Blackwell, as the game stayed a 1-1 ball game through the top of the fifth inning. Teruya singled to complete the cycle across the doubleheader in the bottom of the fifth, but the Loggers were still unable to score.
Linfield broke the ice in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four runs to pull ahead 5-1. They added one in the eighth and two in the ninth to pull ahead, putting the game out of reach. The Loggers droped game two, 8-1.
What Happens Next
The Loggers celebrate their seniors
