News

Zach Rapacz doubled, homered and drove in six runs to spearhead Columbia Basin College’s biggest offensive output, a 17-2 rout of Green River in an NWAACC pre-region contest Saturday in Pasco.

The Gators came back for the split with a 12-11 win in the second game, though not without a big push from the Hawks over the final three innings.

CBC (5-5) jumped out big in the opener with a two-run single from Kenton Brunson and a three-run shot from Rapacz.

The two were at it again during an eight-run third inning. Brunson ripped a second two-run single,and Rapacz’s double cleared the bases.

“We had some hitters get big hits when we had runners on base, which was good to see us finally do,” said CBC coach Chris Staton.

The Hawks pounded out 17 hits, including a 4-for-5 game from Jordan Webb hitting in the nine hole.

Thomas Bevington and Peyton Lutz combined on an eight-hitter in the abrieviated seven-inning game.

With CBC hoping to earn its first sweep of the season, it was Green River (2-8) that got off quick in the second game with a pair of four-run innings to start. The Gators led 11-2 after 3 1/2 innings before the Hawks started chipping away.

Dalton Johnson tripled in a pair of runs with two out in the bottom of ninth to pull CBC within a run, but he was stranded at third to end the game.

It was the end of a big game and big day for Johnson, who was 4-for-5 with a double, two triples and five RBIs in the second game and went 6-for-10 with seven RBIs on the day.

“We are getting really close,” Staton said. “A lot of young teams would have rolled over after being down 8-0 after two innings. But our guys fought back, and at the end we had the tying run on third. I’m proud of the way they battled back. We need to figure some things out on the mound top help our hitters, but we are close.”

CBC entertains Skagit Valley in a doubleheader today, with first pitch set for 11 a.m.

Green River 110 000 0 — 2 8 2
Columbia Basin 518 300 x — 17 17 1
Christian Meister (L,1-1), Braulio Torres-Perez (3) and Spencer Scott; Thomas Bevington (W,2-1), Peyton Lutz (5) and Garrett Weiss. Highlights—Ryan Atkinson (CBC) 3x4, 2R; Dalton Johnson (CBC) 2x5, 2R, 2 RBI; Kenton Brunson (CBC) 2x4, 3R, 4 RBI, SB; Zach Rapacz (CBC) 2x5, 2B, HR, 6 RBI; Chad Bettinson (CBC) 3x5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2R; Jordan Webb (CBC) 4x5, 3B, 2R.

Green River 440 300 010 — 12 12 2
Columbia Basin 002 210 222 — 11 12 1
Tyler Bernheisel (W,1-2), Connor Sjolander (5), Micah Dohlen (S,1) (8) and Chris Foster, Scott; Nate Sorensen (L,0-2), Nico Face (3), Weiss (8) and Braden Wolgamott. Highlights—Hartman (GR) 3x3, 3 RBI; Thompson (GR) 3x6, 2B, 2 RBI, 3R; D. Johnson (CBC) 4x5, 2B, 2 3B, 5 RBI; Jordan Feeney (CBC) 3x5, 3R; Travis Key (CBC) 3B; Nick Savas (CBC) 2B.

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