ELLENSBURG, WA.— The Wildcats split the series against Western Oregon 2-2. The Wildcats dropped game one of the day 4-3 and bounced back to win game two 7-2.
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"I thought we competed well all day and we were more consistent in all aspects. We have shown resilience, being able to bounce back well after a tough loss both days." CWU Head Coach Desi Storey said.
GAME 1
Brayde Hirai took the hill for the 'Cats to start the day. A single allowed the Wolves to get a base runner early, but two fly outs and a ground out to second baseman Mitch Lesmeister made quick work of the Wolves in the top of the first. Justin Hampson got the 'Cats going early, dropping a ball down the left field line that the diving fielder couldn't snag. Mitch Lesmeister had an infield single to put 'Cats on the corners. Lesmeister stole second on the very next pitch. The 'Cats went down on strikes, stranding two runners. 0-0 after one.
Hirai earned himself another strikeout, following it up with a fly out and ground out, the 'Cats making quick work of the Wolves offense once again. The 'Cats were unable to get anything going again as a strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play ended the second.
The Wolves found themselves a baserunner after an error by the 'Cats to start the third. Hirai pitched himself into a 6-4-3 double play to eliminate the threat. The Wolves found life again after another error and a single gave them runners on first and second. Hirai bounced back with a backwards K to close out to the top of the third. Jake Tilley got the 'Cats going quickly with a stand up double on the second pitch. Zach Berryman followed up Tilley with a single to left field on the first pitch, putting 'Cats on the corners. A balk by the Wolves moved Berryman over to second and allowed Tilley to trot home to give the 'Cats the first score of the game. Lesmeister hit a line drive into left field, bringing home Berryman and putting the 'Cats on top 2-0. Lesmeister got caught stealing to end the third inning. 'Cats were still on top 2-0.
Hirai pitched himself through another inning. A pair of flyouts and yet another strikeout for Hirai had the Wolves going three up, three down to end their fourth. Jason Hill was able to draw a walk with one out for the 'Cats. The 'Cats ended the inning by hitting into yet another 5-4-3 double play. The 'Cats still led 2-0 after four.
The Wolves started the top of the fifth off with some life, a nine-pitch walk gave them a baserunner with no outs. The Wolves found themselves another walk, and a single gave them their first run of the game with runners on second and third. With no outs the Wolves had cut the lead to 2-1. The 'Cat showed off some defensive prowess as a fly ball to Justin Hampson in center field allowed him to cut down the runner at home for a double play. The Wolves found another gap with a single back up the middle to score the tying run. The 'Cats were able to cut down the final out with a ground ball to the shortstop. With one out, Jake Tilley gave the 'Cats some life again with his second double of the day to put himself in scoring position. Zach Berryman matched the same turn of events as the third, hitting another single to put 'Cats back on the corners. Justin Hampson was able to escape as an E4 scores Tilley, moved Berryman to second and Hampson found himself safe at first. A fly ball to center field moved Berryman to third and Hampson swiped second on a past ball. The 'Cats grounded out to end the inning but retook the lead 3-2.
A strikeout by Hirai, a flyout and a walk gave the Wolves a baserunner with two outs. The 'Cats went to their bullpen in Sophomore Riley Wingerson. Wingerson was able to pitch into a groundout to end the top of the sixth for the Wolves. Jason Hill was drilled in the back with a pitch giving the 'Cats a free baserunner. After a passed ball and a deep fly ball to center, the 'Cats had Hill at third base with two outs only ninety feet from scoring. Unfortunately, a strikeout by the 'Cats left Hill stranded. The 'Cats still led 3-2.
Back-to-back 6-3 groundouts along with a soft liner got the 'Cats out of the inning without a scratch. The Wolves went to their bullpen to start the bottom of the seventh. Zach Berryman wound up drawing a walk but the 'Cats were unable to bring him around. The 'Cats were holding on by one at the end of seven, 3-2.
The Wolves got into scoring position early with a walk to their leadoff batter who advanced to second on a wild pitch. With no outs, the Wolves put a single into left field to put runners on the corners. A passed ball moved the runner over, and the Wolves swiped another run to tie the game at three apiece. The 'Cats were able to get a ground ball put out, but it advanced the Wolves runner to third. The 'Cats went deeper into their bullpen as they looked to Freshman JJ Lemming. Lemming gets a big flyout for out number two, picked up by his right fielder Tyler McClain who showed off his arm strength to hold the runner at third. Unfortunately, another wild pitch allows the Wolves to push across the lead run. The Wolves went down on another flyout but took the lead from the 'Cats, 4-3. After a fly ball, Tyler McClain got the 'Cats going with a single up the middle. McClain was able to swipe second on a passed ball, giving the 'Cats a runner in scoring position. After another strikeout, the Wolves wound up going to their bullpen for a southpaw to close it out. The big lefty for the Wolves ends up hitting Jason Hill to give the 'Cats two runners on with two outs. The 'Cats strand two, getting caught in a ground ball to end the eighth still trailing 4-3.
After the Wolves put runners on first and second, the 'Cats dug deeper into their bullpen bringing out Senior JJ Asinas to close it out. Asinas draws a ground ball and an infield fly to end the inning for the Wolves. The 'Cats have one last chance to come out on top. Austin Ohland came into pinch hit and drew a walk, giving the 'Cats a baserunner to start the inning as Adam Fahsel came in the pinch run. Jake Tilley squared up to bunt on all four pitches, but the Wolves couldn't find the zone and the 'Cats had runners on first and second with no outs, back at the heart of the order. Michael Copeland came in for the 'Cats as a pinch runner for Jake Tilley hoping to add some speed. The 'Cats got cut down back-to-back-to-back to close out the game.
The 'Cats fell to the Wolves 4-3 in game one, Riley Wingerson charged with the loss.
GAME 2
The Freshman from Selah, Reid Rasmussen took the hill for the 'Cats in game two as the 'Cats hoped to bounce back. A pair of fly outs and a beautiful pick off move by Rasmussen caught the Wolves napping to end the top of the first with some energy. Mitch Lesmeister was able to draw a two out walk but the 'Cats go down on strikes to end the first.
Rasmussen started the second inning off strong, winning a nine-pitch at-bat with a backwards K. One of the Wolves reached on an infield error, but two fly balls cut the offense down quickly. Jason Hill gave the 'Cats their first hit of game two but after a few more strikeouts the 'Cats ended inning two without any more offense.
The Wolves got hot in the top of the third inning with a one out double. The Wolves stole third base and a base hit scored the first run of the game. The Wolves took the lead 1-0. A pair of fly outs ends the top of the third. A duo of singles provided by Zach Berryman and Justin Hampson gave the 'Cats their first scoring opportunity of the game. Mitch Lesmeister hits a sacrifice fly to score Berryman and tie the game at one each. Hampson steals second on the next pitch, attempting to give the 'Cats another chance. The 'Cats groundout but tie the game before the inning ends.
Rasmussen records two strikeouts and a groundout to get the 'Cats through the top of the fourth. The Wolves go to their bullpen to start the fourth. The Wolves sidearm thrower on the hill got the 'Cats to go 1-2-3 to end the fourth.
The Wolves started off the fifth with a strikeout but quickly retook the lead with a longball to go up 2-1. The 'Cats were able to get out of the inning without further damage. Jake Tilley was able to get the 'Cats going again quickly with a long single off of the left center fence. Wolves went to their bullpen again, bringing out a tall southpaw. After two more walks, the 'Cats had the bases loaded as the Wolves couldn't find the strike zone. The Wolves walked in pinch runner Michael Copeland to tie the game at two apiece. Tyler McClain smashed a huge double to right center field to clear the bases and put the 'Cats on top, 5-2. The 'Cats finally went down on strikes after taking the lead.
Rasmussen stayed in to start the sixth inning. After two strikeouts Rasmussen gave two singles before coming back for his fourth strikeout on the day. Michael Peter drew the lead off walk to get the 'Cats started. Peters then swiped second, putting the 'Cats in a position to add a few insurance runs. With two outs Zach Berryman hit a long double to the center fence, allowing Peters to score and the 'Cats added to the lead 6-2. Hampson swung at the first pitch and dropped a bloop into left field, allowing Berryman to sprint around for the score, 'Cats up 7-2. Hampson stole second on the next pitch and a bad throw allowed Hampson to advance to third. A diving catch by the Wolves ends the sixth.
The 'Cats went to senior Ryan Marstiller to close out game two. Marstiller gave up a leadoff single and an error in right field allowed the Wolves to put runners on first and second with no outs. A ground ball allowed the Wolves to move runners to second and third but a lineout and a strikeout from Marstiller closed the books for the 'Cats.
Rasmussen earns the win as the 'Cats take game two, 7-2. The 'Cats split the series 2-2 with the Wolves.
The 'Cats next series is March 19 & 20 at Nampa, ID against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks.
