TACOMA, Wash. -- The Loggers capture a spot in the Northwest Conference Tournament for the second time in as many years, splitting their doubleheader with Pacific Lutheran.
How it Happened
Game 1
The Lutes got off to a hot start and never looked back, as the Loggers dropped game one 10-5.
After PLU put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning,
Ryan Spero got the first hit of the day for the Loggers in the top of the third inning, advancing to third thanks to a throwing error by the Lutes' shortstop. The Lutes put up three more runs in the bottom of the third, making it 5-0 after three.
The Loggers came back in the top of the fourth, though, as
Kahiau Teruya singled to begin the inning.
Cooper Allen the doubled to center, putting runners on second and third with no outs.
Matt Churchill then reached first on a throwing error, and a sacrifice fly by
Kellen Krebs brought Teruya home.
Despite the Lutes putting up two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, the Loggers struck back immediately yet again. With two outs, a
Charlie Deggeller walk, Teruya hit by pitch, and an Allen single loaded the bases for Churchill. He took advantage, hitting the second pitch of the at bat out of the ballpark to clear the bases. This made it 7-5, as the Loggers were right back in it.
Runs in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings padded Pacific Lutheran's lead, as the Loggers dropped game one, 10-5.
Game 2
In a must-win game, the Loggers took care of business, beating the Lutes 2-0 in game two.
Braden Blackwell got the start on the mound, going 5.1 innings with 6 strikeouts and no earned runs.
Spero got the first hit of the ball game yet again, doubling to right field in the top of the second inning. Despite the solid hitting, the Loggers were unable to get the Log rolling until the top of the sixth inning. Churchill was intentionally walked in the third,
Armand Lettiere tripled in the fifth, and an RBI double by
Preston Crockett broke the ice in the sixth. Churchill and Spero singled to get runners on first and second, and with two outs, Crockett came in clutch for the Loggers to put Puget Sound up 1-0 after six.
The Loggers added a second run in the top of the seventh, as Deggeller doubled to left to kick things off. A Teruya single to right brought Deggeller home, making it 2-0 after seven. With Harley Escliman pitching 2.2 perfect innings of relief,
Zach Robman went 1-2-3 in the ninth to put the game away. The Loggers take this one, 2-0.
What Happens Next
The Loggers get to take a big breath of fresh air after clinching a spot in the NWC Tournament. They play one conference game at 12:00 pm and a non-conference game at 3:00 pm against the Lutes. With Linfield taking two of the three games over Lewis & Clark, the Loggers still have a chance at third place with a Logger win and River Otter Loss.
