By: Amanda Dow-Allen
Sports Information Assistant
FOREST GROVE, Ore- The Lewis & Clark baseball team battled the Pacific Boxers through 17 innings of action in game one of the three game Northwest Conference series on Saturday, ultimately suffering a 9-8 loss. The Pioneers fought back in game two winning 5-2.
Game One:
The Pioneers went through six pitchers in game one to complete seventeen innings of play. The starter, Ryan Strombom pitched six innings allowing four runs on five hits, while walking six and striking out four. He was relieved by Blake Howell to begin the seventh pitching two thirds of an inning giving up two runs on two hits. Alex Heimbrodt came in to pitch seven and one third innings allowing two runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out eight. Severiano Villarruel pitched the fifteenth inning walking three batters. Kyle Tibbett (0-1) takes the loss for the Pioneers allowing one run and two walks. Stein Retzlaff also saw time on the mound walking one batter. The Boxers threw four pitchers and Nathan Suyematsu (1-1) takes the win pitching six and one third innings walking two and striking out four while not allowing a run.
The Pioneers scored their first run in the second inning after Tommy Massari doubled to left field and scored on a Ben Beck single to right center. The Boxers came alive in the fourth scoring two runs off one hit and an error while using three walks to their advantage.
Fighting back in the fifth, the Pioneers scored three runs off two hits and an error. Bradley Lezak singled and Matthew Cathcart doubled, while Eric Hyun walked and Andrew Traver reached on an error. They struck again in the sixth scoring two runs when Massari walked and advanced to second on a ground out. Beck reached on a fielding error and advanced Massari to third. Lezak then stepped to the plate roping a triple to right center scoring two runs making the score 6-2.
The score quickly became tied when the Boxers scored four runs on four hits in the seventh. Jacob Burton for the Pioneers didn't want the score to be tied for long and ripped a double in the eighth and scored when Beck hit a single through the right side of the field.
Bottom of the ninth and down one run, the Boxers clutched up and scored a run after Walker Olis tripled scoring Matt Hopp.
In extra innings the Pioneers scored in the eleventh after a Traver single, Cathcart single, and Drake Gilliland singling scoring Traver. The Boxers had Donnie Bradley hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Walker singled scoring Bradley from third.
Heading into the seventeenth inning the Boxers came out the victor after Walker walked, was sac bunted to second, and advanced to third on a ground out. Walker scored on a wild pitch, ending the game with the score 9-8.
The Pioneers finished with fourteen hits led by Beck, Lezak, Traver, and Cathcart who each finished with two hits each. Hyun, Gilliland, Hayden Higger, Corey Davis, Massari, and Burton finished with one respectively.
Game Two:
John Trupin (3-1) takes the win for the Pioneers pitching a complete game, giving up two runs off seven hits while walking one and striking out two. Colin McCusker (1-1) takes the loss for the Boxers pitching seven innings giving up three runs off seven hits, while walking one and striking out three. Austin Gallagher relieved McCusker in the eighth giving up two runs on three hits, while striking out one.
After two scoreless innings, the Pioneers struck in the third scoring one run. Cathcart singled to center field and advanced to second on a Beck ground out. Lezak then hit a single to center scoring Cathcart. The Pioneers didn't let up and scored another two runs in the fourth. Hyun singled and advanced on a ground out by Evan Gray. Massari doubled down the left field line scoring Hyun from second. Cathcart then singled up the middle scoring Massari for the second run of the inning.
The Boxers scored their first run in the bottom of the seventh after Hopp singled down the left field line and was moved to second on a single by Danny Yazzolino. Ben Duer then hit a single to right field scoring Yazzolino to give the Boxers a run.
Not taking any chances, the Pioneers scored a couple more insurance runs in the ninth. Higger singled to right center and advanced on a sac bunt by Cathcart. On a ground out by Carter Bagley, Higger advanced to third. With two outs Beck hit an infield single scoring Higger from third. Beck then stole second, placing himself in scoring position for Lezak who doubled down the left field line, scoring Beck and making the score 5-1.
Olis began the ninth inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Justin Strayer single to left field. Yazzolino reached on a fielders' choice, Strayer advanced to second on a fielding error and Olis advanced to third. Duerr reached on another fielders' choice scoring Olis from third. The Boxers couldn't produce any more runs and the game ended with the Pioneers winning 5-2.
The Pioneers are 5-7-1 overall, with a 2-3-1 Northwest Conference record, while the Boxers move to 4-9 overall, with a 1-7 record in conference play. The two teams face off again tomorrow March 16 at noon for their final game in the three game series at Pacific.
