Pair of Wins Saturday After Walk Off in Ninth
Everett, WA – The Trojans returned home after last weekend's rain-filled trip to Eugene, OR to face Pierce College and Yakima Valley College. The three teams came together for a weekend full of baseball action, and it would be the Trojans squaring off in game one of the Saturday triple-header against the Raiders of Pierce College.
Everett struck early in the first inning. With two outs, a single followed by a triple from Jordan Justice put EvCC up early 1-0. Then, after 3.5 scoreless innings, the Trojans capitalized on a walk and back to back singles to get another run on the board and take a 2-0 lead.
Starting pitcher for the Trojans, Julian Taudin-Chabot continued to pitch well through 7 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits, but in the top of the 8th, a leadoff walk and an error, followed by a double scored two runs for the Raiders to tie the game at 2.
Everett threatened in the bottom half of the 8th, but ultimately left two stranded at the corners, setting up an exciting conclusion. Devin Macwatters came in to close and struck out the side giving Everett the opportunity to walk off in the 9th. A single, double, and intentional walk left the bases loaded with Braeden Terry who was 0-3 on the day. Terry worked a full count and then drew the walk to bring in the winning run.
The Trojans combined for 7 hits, highlighted by Jonathan Kumai's 3-4 day. Cameron Green and Jordan Justice both drove in runs in the 5th and 1st innings respectively. The pitching was very sharp as starting pitcher, Julian Taudin-Chabot went 8 innings with 11 strikeouts, gave up three hits, and no earned runs. Devin Macwatters' three strikeouts in the 9th gave EvCC 14 total for the game.
The Trojans took Yakima Valley College in the night cap game, who had just defeated Pierce 5-1 in the previous game. Once again, the Trojans got on the board early scoring two runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. But by the 6th inning, the score would be deadlocked at 4 runs apiece. EvCC had a chance in the bottom of the sixth to break that tie with runners at the corners but could not capitalize. YVC would go on to add a run in the 7th, but it would all come down to the bottom of the ninth inning.
Down a run, Nathaniel De La Cruz would work a lead off walk, followed by a Jonathan Kumai single, and a Cameron Green bunt single to load the bases. Braeden Terry got the sac fly to tie the game at 5 with the winning run tagging and moving the third. One batter later, Jordan Justice sent another fly ball to the outfield which was able to bring in Kumai and secure the 9th inning rally win.
Sheehan O'Conner drove in 2 RBI's, and several Trojans had multiple hits for a team total of 12. On the mound for the Trojans were Kenji Miller who started and went 5 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 7 hits and striking out 4. Joe McBride pitched 3 innings, giving up 3 hits and a run, while also posting 4 strikeouts. Getting the win, was closer Elias Holbert who came in the top of the 9th to give up no hits and strike out 2.
Everett will be back at it on Sunday, opening up with Yakima Valley at 10am, followed by Pierce College at 4pm.