43 Runs Scored in Weekend Sweep

Everett, WA – Trojan baseball was back at home for a four-game set over the weekend starting with a single game vs Yakima Valley followed by a three game (7 inning series) vs Grays Harbor.  The odd scheduling was in part to a wet weather weekend, that featured intermittent showers and windy conditions that forced three weather delays. 

In the opening game against the Yaks, YVC was undoubtedly anxious for some payback after EvCC swept the east region team in four games on the opening weekend.  Yakima opened up the game with a slew of hits and found themselves leading 7-2 after two and a half innings.  EvCC got four big runs in the 3^rd sparked by a Carson Burns home run, Axel Pul's double and a triple from Brenden Haverlock.  

Yakima got three of the four runs back in the next half inning, and would hold onto the 10-6 lead all the way through 6 and a half innings of play.  Then the big inning finally hit for EvCC as 6 runs came across in the bottom of the 7^th, capped by a Keaton Fisher grand slam.  Again, Yakima got a run in the top of the 9^th but Blake Sandvik got the job done, and preserved the 12-11 win.  Everett only tallied 6 hits, but used 13 walks to move runners around. 

EvCC's next game featured the Chokers of Grays Harbor College, and again the opposition got on the board first, leading 2-0 going into the bottom 2^nd.  Everett's bats came alive again with 5 runs on 7 hits.  The inning was started by Axel Puls' triple, and he was brought home by Cooper McBride's double.  AJ Hendrickson drove in a run as did Nate Davis (double) and Jonah Shull also drove in a pair of runs on his single.  That big inning along with another run in the 5^th secured Everett's second win of the day.  Callum Young had a quality day giving up 4 hits and just one earned run, striking out 5 in 6 innings pitched.  Brandon Brunette closed the door in the final inning, retiring the side and striking out two.

On Sunday, the Trojans needed another come from behind effort but ultimately got the job done in game number 2 vs GHC.  The Chokers were up 4-0 through five and a half innings, until EvCC exploded for 8 runs.  Keaton Fisher again had a big home run, this one for three runs, and Nate Davis also had a 3-run home run.  Grays Harbor, nearly came back themselves scoring 3 runs in the top of the 7^th, but in an awkward play where a GHC baserunner did not run to third, EvCC got the force out, nullifying a would be game tying run, and the Trojans won 8-7.  Ethan Hubbell got the start and struck out 7 batters, but gave up 2 earned runs on 6 hits through 5.1 innings.  Brandon Brunette again got the save retiring the final two batters. 

In the weekend finale, the Trojans opened up the game with 6 runs in the first inning on 5 hits. Jonah Shull and Keaton Fisher each connected with RBI doubles.  Grays Harbor answered with a run in the top of the 2^nd but it would be their only run of the ball game, and it would also be their lone hit.  The Trojans then put the game on ice with 7 runs in the 3^rd, which was interrupted with a rain delay.  The already shortened, 7 inning game became even shorter when EvCC punched across four more runs in the 4^th and blanked the Chokers in the top of the fifth to enact a 10 run rule after 5, with a finale score of 17-1. 

Carson Burns went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI's, and Micah Coleman had a pair of hits including a solo home run, to combine for 3 RBI's. Brenden Haverlock did not record a hit, but drew 3 walks, each time the bases were loaded and tallied 3 RBI's.  Burns, Fisher, Cooper McBride, and Jonah Shull each recorded doubles, and the team combined for 11 hits, and 12 walks.  Landon Welter went 3 innings giving up one hit and the one earned run, while AJ Hendrickson finished the game in the final two innings not allowing a hit and striking out 2 batters.

EvCC improves to 9-5 on the season, and will get a big test next weekend, hosting Columbia Basin College who is 12-2 on the season and winners of 10 straight.  First pitch on Saturday March 16^th will be at 1:00pm.