TACOMA, Wash. – Lewis & Clark College baseball outscored the University of Puget Sound 3-2 in the final seven innings of Sunday's Northwest Conference contest, but it wasn't enough to erase a 9-0 deficit.
THE BASICS
Puget Sound 11, Lewis & Clark 3
(Lewis & Clark 15-15-1, 6-9 NWC)
(Puget Sound 14-17, 6-9 NWC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Loggers scored on an error in the first inning, then hit three doubles and scored eight runs in the second to take a 9-0 lead.
The Pioneers loaded the bases in the top of the third inning after senior
Jack Savant earned a lead-off walk, sophomore
Brandon Gonzaga singled, and freshman
Michael Aikawa was hit by a pitch. Junior
Brennen Davis hit a fly ball to the right fielder for a sac fly, scoring Savant to try to start a rally. Logger pitcher Brett Harvey worked his way out of danger, inducing a grounder to a 4-6-3 double play.
Caden Hodina pitched six innings in relief, his longest outing on the mound since returning from injury. The freshman struck out a career-high four batters and was able to slow down the Loggers' bats after the second inning.
The Pioneers attempted a second late-game rally in as many days in the top of the ninth inning. Senior
Luke Bass hit a lead-off single and was then pinch-ran for by freshman
Gavin Mangano. First baseman
Will Heron recorded his second hit of the day, a double to left field, to put two runners in scoring position. The junior was the lone Pioneer to finish with multiple hits (2-4).
Senior
Jakob Ghammachi drove in Mangano on a sacrifice fly to center. Freshman
Bret Potter followed that up with an RBI single to make it 11-3. Junior
Justin Cavagnaro hit a one-out single to keep Lewis & Clark alive. Puget Sound ended the rally with a foul out and fly out to secure the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Senior Tyler Shimabukuro entered the game in the eighth inning to relieve Hodina and retired the Loggers' heart of the order, striking out one with two ground outs.
- Heron recorded his 100th and 101st career hit against the Loggers and is tied for the team lead with 10 multi-hit games this season.
- Aikawa hit his 8th double of the season in the first inning to take the team lead; Heron tied the freshman with his double in the ninth.
WHO'S NEXT
The Pioneers host Whitworth University on April 20 in a NWC doubleheader with first pitched scheduled for Noon. Lewis & Clark will be holding a dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Jerry Gatto Baseball Field prior to the games at 11:15 a.m.