PORTLAND, Ore. (Apr. 16) – The Central Washington University baseball team took the front end of its doubleheader against Concordia University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup. The Wildcats are now 18-17 overall and 14-12 in GNAC play. The Cavaliers move to 12-24 and 10-16 in conference.
Mackenzie Gaul (3-3) tossed his best start of the season, going 8.1 innings and allowing just two runs. He struck out a pair of hitters and threw just 87 pitches.
Kyle Blankenship came on in the ninth and earned his first save of the season.
"Mac went out there and did exactly what we needed him to do," CWU Head Coach
Desi Storey said. "He was efficient with his pitches and hit his spots. Defense played well behind him and it was a great outing for him. He was focused."
The Wildcats' offense opened the scoring in the first frame.
Tanner Romo singled back up the middle on a 3-1 count, scoring
Ryan Atkinson.
Central continued its offense in the second, when
Benjamin Dunbar took a 2-2 pitch to center and scored
Justin Adams for a 2-0 lead.
Dunbar finished game one with two hits, while six other five other Wildcats each recorded one hit.
The Cavaliers scored a pair of runs in the third to tie the game. A sacrifice fly brought one run in, before a double steal and an error allowed the Cavaliers to bring in their second run.
A crucial miscue by Concordia starter Gerhett Moser (1-6) brought in the final run. With
Darren Honeysett on third Moser balked, allowing Honeysett to jog home and give Central a 3-2 edge.
Concordia's pitching staff allowed nine hits in game two, but limited the damage and gave up just two runs.
"We got runners on, but couldn't find a way to bring them around," Storey noted. "We need to do a better job of executing in key spots. Hopefully we can get it done tomorrow. It's frustrating. Our approach hasn't been the best and we need to find a way to get better. "
The Wildcats' bats went to work early again.
Dylan Freyre singled home Atkinson in the top of the first inning for the game's first run.
The Cavaliers then pushed five runs across in total, including one in the second and four in the fourth inning.
Central struck again in the seventh inning.
Myles Wesener pinch hit for Connor Plaisance and singled to center field with one out.
A two-out single by Atkinson moved the Brisbane, Australia native to second before he was brought home on a single by Honeysett, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
The Cavaliers were able to hang on for the victory and back-to-back splits in the series.
Atkinson finished game two 3-for-4. Seven players recorded a hit for the Wildcats.
Jake Levin (4-4) went the distance, throwing 95 pitches over six innings. He allowed five runs, on 10 hits, and struck out five.
"Both our starters got us deep into the game again today," Storey finished. "We didn't have to go into the bullpen as both guys worked efficiently and kept their pitch count down. We'll have the full compliment of arms tomorrow."
Central and Concordia close out their series tomorrow with another doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
