ELLENSBURG,WA.-- The Wildcat's had a four-bomb slugfest in game one and a dramatic finish in game two to lead the series 2-0 against Montana State University Billings after day one.
QUOTABLE
"The guys competed all day. We had great offense in game one along with a solid outing by Larsen. We really found a way to fight back and win a tight one in game two." Said CWU Head Coach Desi Storey.
GAME 1
Dillon Larsen took the hill for the Wildcats to start the set. Larsen made quick work of the Yellowjackets with two quick ground balls and a strikeout looking. The 'Cats offense followed suit, going down 1-2-3 to end the first inning.
The Yellowjackets struck first in the second inning. A lead off walk, stolen base and a single to the right side plated the first run of the game. The 'Cats quickly brought them to stop with a bare-hand double play back up the middle to Jason Hill and Michael Peter. The 'Cats offense was unable to find any momentum as they fell 1-2-3 to end the second.
Larsen stayed consistent through the top of third, drawing two ground balls and another strikeout making quick work of the Yellowjackets. Cameron McGrath singled to lead off the third for the 'Cats offense. With two outs Jason Hill gave the 'Cats a chance with a double just off of the left field fence. The 'Cats ended up going down on strikes to end the inning.
A pair of errors by the 'Cats allowed the Yellowjackets to load the bases in the top of the fourth. Larsen was able to pitch efficiently and draw the Yellowjackets into a double play to close out the top of the inning before doing any damage. Justin Hampson started off the bottom of the fourth quickly with a double to the right-center gap. Mitch Lesmeister landed an infield single to put runners on the corners for Austin Ohland. Austin Ohland came up big with a three-run homerun to deep left-center to put the Wildcats on top, 3-1. Michael Peter and Cameron McGrath were able to draw a walk each, putting two more 'Cats on the bases. Jason Hill ripped a line drive over second base to bring Michael Peter in to score. The diving right fielder allowed McGrath to move over to third and Hill to second. Zach Berryman drew a walk, loading the bases and bringing Hampson to the plate for his second at bat of the inning. Justin Hampson elevates one to the opposite field, hitting a grand slam to clear the bases. The 'Cats would ground out to finish the inning but took the lead in a dominant fashion, 8-1.
Larsen continued to be dominant in the fifth. Another error by the 'Cats gave the Yellowjackets a baserunner, but a pair of strikeouts would close the door on them to end the top of the fifth. The Yellowjackets went to their bullpen to start the bottom of the fifth. Austin Ohland started the bottom of the fifth with a four-pitch walk. Tyler McClain swung at the first pitch he saw, launching a two-run home run over the left field fence, the third long-ball by the 'Cats today. The 'Cats extend their lead, 10-1. A pair of walks to Cameron McGrath and Jake Tilley followed by a single from Jason Hill loaded the bases once again with only one out. The Yellowjackets would go to their bullpen again. A wild pitch brought home McGrath to tack on another for the 'Cats. Zach Berryman singled to left field, clearing the bases, and scoring Tilley and Hill. Justin Hampson singled again, putting two runners on base with only one out still for the 'Cats. A wild pitch by the Yellowjackets plated Berryman. The 'Cats went down on strikes but extended their lead out 14-1.
The top of the sixth spelled trouble for the 'Cats as a single to lead off the inning was quickly followed with a double to plate a run. A walk and a wild pitch gave the Yellowjackets two more threats on the bases. A deep fly ball to right field was tracked down by Tyler McClain who fired it back to first to double up the runner and close out the inning. The Yellowjackets were able to plate another on the deep fly, cutting the Wildcats lead to 14-3. The 'Cats offense had a short sixth, Cameron McGrath had the only hit of the inning before it closed out.
Larsen began the seventh with a strikeout to get the inning going. A soft liner to Peter's gave the 'Cats their second out of the inning. A hit batter by Larsen gave the Yellowjackets a base runner. The Yellowjackets hit back-to-back doubles to follow it up, plating two more runs for the Yellowjackets. Larsen was able to record another strikeout, closing out the inning with the Yellowjackets cutting the lead, 14-5. Jason Hill earned a walk and the Yellowjackets brought in their fourth pitcher of the day for Zach Berryman. A wild first pitch by the reliever moved Hill into scoring position. Zach Berryman was able to drop the ball into left field for a single, driving in Hill as another insurance run for the 'Cats. A walk to Hampson and a hit-by-pitch to Lesmeister loaded the bases for Austin Ohland. Ohland wore the first pitch on the arm, walking in Berryman. Tyler McClain unloaded on the first pitch for the 'Cats second grand slam of the day and the second-long ball for McClain as well. The 'Cats lined out to close out the inning but not before extending their commanding lead, 20-5.
JJ Asinas came in for relief to start the eighth inning. A single and a walk gave the Yellowjackets two more runners, and a double to left center would drive them in. 'Cats still lead 20-7. With three games left in the series the 'Cats went to the bullpen again to save arms, this time bringing in Riley Wingerson. A wild pitch followed by a single drove in another run for the Yellowjackets. Another hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Yellowjackets for the first time in the game. A double down the left field line, just missed by Lesmeister getting airborne, cleared the bases for the Yellowjackets. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, the Yellowjackets went deep to leftfield with a two-run shot, cutting Central's lead to 20-12. The 'Cats reached deeper into their bullpen, calling this time on Ryan Marstiller. Marstiller punched out the first batter he sees to close out the top of the eighth. Jake Tilley kicked off the eight for the 'Cats with a leadoff single. A fielder's choice for Jason Hill and a double by Zach Berryman put the 'Cats on second and third with only one out. Justin Hampson wore a pitch, taking his free base and loading the bases once again for the 'Cats. Mitch Lesmiester hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Hill. The 'Cats grounded out to end the inning, holding the lead at 21-13 heading into the Yellowjackets final offense chance.
Rhyse Frey came in to close out the game for the 'Cats. Frey struck out the first two batters, before hitting the third to give the Yellowjackets a base runner. A close play at second gave the Yellowjackets another double and runners on second and third. The Yellowjackets followed it up with another single, driving in two runs to cut the Wildcats lead, 21-14. Frey struck out the final batter looking, closing the door on the Yellowjackets in game one, and the Wildcats won 21-14.
GAME 2
Dylan Weese toed the rubber to start game two for the 'Cats, his first starting appearance this season. Weese made efficient work of the Yellowjackets, starting with two strikeouts and a groundout to end the top of the first. Justin Hampson kicked off the offense for the 'Cats with a one-out single. Hampson stole second on the next pitch just before Mitch Lesmeister drove a single up the middle to plate Hampson. Austin Ohland reached base on an infield error by the Yellowjackets, giving the 'Cats two base runners with only one out. Tyler McClain kept the offense going, driving a single through the right side to plate Lesmeister. The 'Cats got caught napping on the basepaths, but not before taking the lead early 2-0.
The Yellowjackets kicked off their second inning with a single. The Yellowjackets swiped second on a close tag, followed by a walk gave the Yellowjackets a couple of threats with nobody out. The Yellowjackets gave up an out with a bunt to move runners over, and a sacrifice fly into shallow center drove in the first run of the game. An error by the 'Cats allowed the Yellowjackets to swipe one more before the inning ended, tying the game at 2-2. A walk to Jake Engel followed by a single from Jason Hill gave the 'Cats two base runners with only one out. Justin Hampson drew a walk to load the bases for Lesmeister. Lesmeister singled through the right side, driving in Engel and Hill, moving Hampson to third. Austin Ohland reached first safely on a close infield hit, allowing Hampson to score. The inning ended on the 'Cats, but not before retaking the lead 5-2.
A double started off the top of the third for the Yellowjackets. A hit-by-pitch gave the Yellowjackets runners on first and second with no outs, and a passed ball allowed them to advance to second and third. A line drive single to the right field wall drove in the two runs for the Yellowjackets, cutting the lead to 5-4 Wildcats. Weese was able to get a trio of fly outs to end the top of the third. The 'Cats went down 1-2-3, unable to muster any offense to end the third. The Wildcats still lead, 5-4.
A diving catch by Lesmeister in left field kicked off the fourth inning. The Yellowjackets were able to hit a single and a double to quickly put runners on second and third with only one out. Weese pitched himself into two fly outs to end the inning before the Yellowjackets could do any damage. Zach Berryman got the 'Cats going in the fourth getting hit by the pitch with one out. The Yellowjackets dug into their bullpen, bringing in a strong arm from the right side. The 'Cats would fly out to end the inning without scoring.
The 'Cats got the inning started with a first pitch fly ball for the first out. The Yellowjackets answered quickly with a solo home run to right field to tie the game at five a piece. Weese was able to get two more fly outs to end the offensive inning for the Yellowjackets. The 'Cats go 1-2-3 to close out the inning, the game now tied at 5-5.
JJ Lemming comes in on relief for the 'Cats to start the sixth inning. The Yellowjackets struck quickly, another solo home run to the right side to take the lead. Lemming was able to record three quick outs after the home run, but the Yellowjackets had already taken the lead. Jake Tilley started the 'Cats off hot, a double down the left field line gave them a much-needed base runner. Adam Fahsel came into pinch run for Tilley, hoping to add some much-needed speed. After a fly out and a strikeout, the Yellowjackets went into their bullpen with Berryman stepping to the plate. The 'Cats go down on strikes leaving Fahsel on second. The Yellowjackets led 6-5 heading into the final inning.
The 'Cats started the inning with Richie Alves to play the side-arm advantage on a strong hitter for the Yellowjackets. After just a single, the 'Cats bring in Duncan Favor to try and close it out. Three pitches in to his first batter, Favor is able to pick off the runner at first and reset the Yellowjacket offense. The Yellowjackets would answer quickly however, as a line drive back up the middle led to a double. Favor closed out the inning with back-to-back strikeouts. The 'Cats headed into their final three outs with a one run deficit. With a full count and one out, Lesmeister wore a pitch to put the typing run on board. One wild pitch later and the 'Cats found themselves with Lesmeister in scoring position and one out. Austin Ohland came in clutch, with two strikes a line drive up the middle scored Lesmesiter to tie the game and a throwing error put Ohland on second base in position to score the winning run. Michael Copeland came into pinch run for Ohland, adding some speed to the bases. Another wild pitch by the Yellowjackets allowed Copeland to move over to third, only ninety feet from winning the game. Tyler McClain was able to battle back in the count and draw a walk to put 'Cats on the corners with one out. A suicide squeeze by Michael Peter and an error by the Yellowjackets plates Copeland and the Wildcats won game two, 7-6.
The Wildcats are back at it tomorrow against the Yellowjackets at 11:00 AM.
SPECTATORS PROHIBITED
At this time, spectators are prohibited at all Central Washington University home athletic events per Washington State, Kittitas County Health Board, and the GNAC. Schedules are subject to change at any time pending decisions from the health board and other local and regional authorities.
