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Columbia Basin’s 5-4 win over Tacoma on Saturday afternoon had to have Tri-City baseball fans smiling as a familiar trio powered the Hawks’ offense.

Brandon Pocasangre, Dalton Johnson and Chad Bettinson combined for 10 of CBC’s 13 hits, Pocasangre delivering a key two-run single in the sixth inning, as the Hawks forged a split in their NWAACC doubleheader in Pasco.

CBC (3-3) dropped the first game 7-4 as the Titans (2-2) rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth. It was the third split in as many doubleheaders for the Hawks to open the season.

“I was proud of the way our guys battled at the plate all day and the way they worked to get a split after losing a tough first game,” said CBC coach Chris Staton.

Pocasangre (Kennewick) went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs, getting the big hit in CBC’s three-run sixth inning to take a four-run lead.

Johnson (Richland) was 4-for-5 and scored twice, while Bettinson (Southridge) was 3-for-4 and scored once.

“Pocasangre had a huge game for us. He got it done when we needed it,” said Staton, adding that starting pitcher Thomas Bevington put up five strong innings of two-hit ball.

The Hawks were headed for a win in the opener as well before the Titans found their long game in the ninth. Garrett DeGallier and Joe Geaney each hit two-run homers in the frame that was aided by a pair of walks.

“In the end, we just had too many walks, and their hitters did a great job of getting big hits when they needed it,” Staton said.

CBC broke a 2-all tie in the seventh, with a walk and a botched sacrifice bunt putting two on with no out. Axel Johnson then doubled ina run and Jordan Webb’s ground out to short scored a second for a 4-2 edge.

Brandon Call started for the Hawks and threw 41⁄3 innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs and three walks while striking out two.

Tacoma 020 000 005 — 7 9 2
Columbia Basin 010 010 200 — 4 9 0
Mitch McQueen, Quinn Eldridge (7) (W,1-0), Brandon Choate (9) (S,1) and Chad Michaud; Brandon Call, Nathan Clark (5), Nate Sorensen (L,0-1) and Braden Wolgamott. Highlights—Garrett DeGallier (TCC) HR, 2 RBI; Joe Geaney (TCC) HR, 2 RBI; Evan Peterson (TCC) 2B, SB; Chad Michaud (TCC) 2x3; Zach Rapacz (CBC) 2B, 2R; Seth Lochridge (CBC) 2x3, 2B, RBI, 2R; Axel Johnson (CBC) 2B, RBI; Ryan Atkinson (CBC) 2x5.
Tacoma 000 010 120 — 4 6 1
Columbia Basin 100 013 00x — 5 13 1
Patrick Bernard (L,0-1), Ryota Kowai (6) and Jake Ross; Thomas Bevington (W,1-1), Steven Danek (6), Ethan Cantu (8) (S,1) and Joe Roletto. Highlights—Ross (TCC) 2B; Dalton Johnson (CBC) 4x5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, SB; Brandon Pocasangre (CBC) 3x5, 3 RBI; Chad Bettinson (CBC) 3x4.

Published with permission of the Tri-City Herald. Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald