Box Score

LEWISTON, Idaho (Feb. 20) -- Central Washington University scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning, and had the tying run on base with one out in the top of the ninth, but the Wildcats were unable to complete their baseball comeback in a 6-4 non-conference loss to Western Oregon University at the Guardian Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Tournament at Harris Field on Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the Wildcats' record to 2-4, while Western Oregon improved to 4-8.

Central opened the scoring in the first inning with an unearned run after senior Kevin Walkenhauer (Yakima/West Valley HS) reached with a one-out single. After an error on a fielder's choice attempt, senior Kevin Schneider (Spokane/Mead HS) plated Walkenhauer with a RBI single to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. That lead was short-lived, however, as Western Oregon took the lead with a three-run second inning. Three Wolves hits, a hit batsman, and three walks gave WOU the lead.

After facing the deficit, the Wildcats had just two hits over the next five innings against Western Oregon starter Jacob Pettit. In the meantime, the Wolves added a single run in the fourth and two more in the sixth to push their lead to 6-1 and chase CWU starter Jake Millbauer (Kennewick/Kamiakin HS) after the sixth inning.

Central Washington's offense finally began to click in the eighth inning, with some help from Western Oregon. Brett Bielec (Port Orchard/North Mason HS) walked and advanced to second on a muffed throw on a fielder's choice, and after a Jake Hammons (Snohomish) single loaded the bases and Schneider struck out, pinch-hitter Kris Henderson (Liberty Lake/Central Valley HS) delivered a two-run double to left-center to make it a 6-3 score. Hammons then scored on a groundout by Eric Sorensen (Ellensburg/Kittitas HS) for the Wildcats' final run.

After scoreless innings of relief by senior Michael McCanna (Addy/Jenkins HS) and junior Travis Stultz (Lacey/River Ridge HS), Central had itself in position to tie the game or take the lead in the top of the ninth. The Wildcats got two of their first three hitters on base with one out, but consecutive fly outs ended Central's comeback threat.

Junior Chance Plutt (Dillon, Mont./Beaverhead County HS) was the only Central player with more than one hit in the game, going 3 for 4 with a double as the Wildcats were outhit by a 10-8 count.

Western Oregon had four players with two-hit outings, including Cesar Lopez, who had a home run and three RBI to lead the Wolves.

Central Washington will travel to Chico, Calif., next weekend for a four-game series with perennial West Region power Chico State at Nettleton Stadium. CWU will play single games on Friday and Sunday and a doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 27).