ELLENSBURG, WA.— The Central Washington Wildcats drop game one, and win game two to take the series against the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets.
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"I'm extremely proud of how we competed all weekend and never let up even after a tough game three loss. The guys showed a lot of toughness this series." Said CWU Head Coach
Desi Storey.
GAME 1
Beau Kearsey took the hill for the Wildcats in game one. Kearsey brought the same energy the 'Cats had the day before, striking out the side.
Zach Berryman was able to single to kick off the inning, but the 'Cats were unable to muster any other offense before ending the inning.
The Yellowjackets started the inning hot, two back-to-back singles had runners on the corners. On the next pitch Austin Ohland caught the runner stealing from first with fifteen feet to spare. With one out, the Yellowjackets hit a rocket to third but Mitch Lesmeister was able to block it up and get the out at first without the run scoring. The Yellowjackets found a gap in the outfield, a double drove in two runs for the Yellowjackets. The 'Cats got out of the inning with a ground ball but the Yellowjackets took the lead 2-0. Ohland earned a walk to kick off the second inning giving the 'Cats a base runner. Jake Tilley was able to draw himself a walk as well, but the 'Cats failed to put up any more offense in the inning and went down on a ground ball.
The 'Cats kicked off the third a little shaky. The Yellowjackets had a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. Kearsey was able to work around the loaded bases and get a ground ball to end the top of the inning. The 'Cats loaded the bases quickly in the third, two walks to Jason Hill and Zach Berryman followed by Justin Hampson getting hit in the side, loaded the bases for Mitch Lesmeister. Lesmeister was able to make contact back up the middle, driving in the first run for the 'Cats at the cost of an out. On the first pitch he sees, Ohland singles to left field to drive in the tying run and land runners on first and second. Tyler McClain was able to draw a walk, reloading the bases for the 'Cats with one out. McGrath drove a soft ground ball up the middle but was able to beat out the throw to first, denying the double play and driving in Lesmeister to push the 'Cats out on top. On a wild pitch by the Yeloowjackets, McGrath swipes second and an error by the second baseman allowed Ohland to trot home and extend the 'Cats lead. Tilley kept the energy going for the 'Cats, a double off of the left field fence plated McGrath and the 'Cats fifth run of the inning. The 'Cats went down on a fly ball but not before retaking the lead with authority, 5-2.
A fielding error by the 'Cats and another hit batter allowed the Yellowjackets to kick off the inning with two base runners. A deep fly ball allowed a runner to advance to the corner at the cost of an out. A wild pitch and a throwing error by the 'Cats allowed the Yellowjackets to swipe home and advance the runner from first to third. Another walk gave the Yellowjackets runners on the corners and another pair of stolen bases plated a run for the Yellowjackets and put a runner on second. The Yellowjackets singled on the next pitch and the Yellowjackets tied the game up at five a piece. The 'Cats were finally able to double up the Yellowjackets on a fly ball to escape the inning. Hampson was able to single for the 'Cats in the bottom of the fourth, but the 'Cats offense were otherwise unable to find contact. The fourth inning closed out with the Yellowjackets tying the game, 5-5.
The 'Cats kicked off the fifth inning going to Ryan Marstiller out of the bullpen. Marstiller worked efficiently to start his day, a strikeout and a pair of ground balls made quick work of the Yellowjacket bats. The 'Cats offense was unable to get anything going in the bottom of the inning, closing out the fifth without any action.
The Yellowjackets were able to start their inning off with a double to the right field. Another hit batter gave the Yellowjackets a threat on the bases but a strikeout, flyball and diving catch by Tilley at first cut down the Yellowjackets. Tilley, fresh off of his diving catch, singled to left field on the first pitch he saw. The 'Cats were unable to provide Tilley any support, leaving him stranded on second as they went down on strikes to close out the inning.
Marstiller found his groove again in the top of the seventh, making quick work of the Yellowjackets offense, cutting them down 1-2-3. The 'Cats offense slump continued in the sixth, a single by Lesmeister is all they could come up with. The game remained tied at 5-5.
Marstiller maintained his momentum, a fly out and a pair of strikeouts cut down the Yellowjacket offense quickly. Cameron McGrath led off the eight for the 'Cats with a walk. McGrath was able to advance twice on a passed ball, putting himself ninety feet from taking the lead. The 'Cats were unable to plate McGrath, leading into the nineth with a tie game.
The Yellowjackets started off the ninth with a statement, a solo shot to left field gave them the lead on the first pitch. JJ Asinas came in on relief for Marstiller. After giving up a single and double, a passed ball by the 'Cats allowed the Yellowjackets to add an insurance run. Another single for the Yellowjackets followed up by a double extended the Yellowjackets lead even further. The 'Cats went further into their bullpen, bringing in Jake Goudzwaard. A throwing error by the 'Cats and another single allowed the Yellowjackets to plate three more runs. Ritchie Alves came in for the 'Cats just after. Another single by the Yellowjackets drove in two more runs to add to the lead. A double off of the wall plated one more for the Yellowjackets. The 'Cats brought in Wyatt Wooden to close out the inning with two outs. A passed ball plated another run for the Yellowjackets just before Wooden closed out the top of the inning. The Yellowjackets went to their bullpen as the 'Cats looked for a major comeback with their final three outs. Lesmeister was able to draw a two out walk but the 'Cats were unable to get anything going.
The Wildcats fell to the Yellowjackets, 17-5.
GAME 2
Reid Rasmussen took the hill for the 'Cats to start game two. Rasmussen plunked the first batter he faced, followed by an uncontested throw on a stolen bag. The Yellowjackets start off the game with a runner quickly in scoring position. A single and an error by the 'Cats allowed the Yellowjackets to plate the first run in game two. After another walk the Yellowjackets hit another single to drive in the second run of the inning. The 'Cats catch them napping on the basepaths and get the final out in a pickle on the third base line. The 'Cats trail 2-0 heading into their first at-bats of the game. A trio of singles got the offense going for the 'Cats, Hampson made his way around to score, Lesmeister finished on second and McClain on first with the RBI. Michael Copeland reached first on a fielder's choice, moving Lesmeister to third with two outs. A double to the right field wall by Jake Tilley drives in Lesmiester and McClain, giving the 'Cats a 3-2 lead. Tilley was able to advance to third on a passed ball, and a walk with another passed ball put Michael Peter at second. Jake Engel reached base on an error by the infield, allowing Peter and Tilley to come around and score. The 'Cats went down on strikes but took the lead 5-2.
The second inning was much quieter for the Yellowjackets, a walk gave them a base runner and after a lineout and a groundout, they snuck a single into left field to cut the lead. The Yellowjackets had another single but Rasmussen was able to pitch his way out of the top of the inning. Zach Berryman earned himself a walk to start the inning. An error on a pick off move allowed Berryman to advance all the way to third. Lesmeister grounded out on a ball to the infield but was able to bring Berryman to score, earning back the run they gave up earlier in the inning. Tyler McClain kept the offense alive with a two-out single back up the middle. The Yellowjackets already dug into their bullpen in only the second inning. After bringing in the new pitcher, on a 1-1 count Michael Copeland tripled off of the right field wall driving in McClain for another run. Copeland was able to swipe home on a passed ball before Tilley popped out to end the inning. The 'Cats extended their lead out to 8-3.
The third inning was quiet for the Yellowjackets. Rasmussen walked one on base but was able to dial it in and strike out the side. The Yellowjackets reached deeper into the bullpen to start the bottom of the third. Jack Engel drove a double into the right field gap for his first hit of the year. Engel advanced to third with only one out on a passed ball. Jason Hill earned a walk, the ball getting by the catcher allowing Engel to swipe home plate and add to the 'Cats lead. The 'Cats go down on a ground ball up the line but extend their lead, 9-3.
The Yellowjackets started the fourth off strong with a lead off double. After a strikeout and a ground ball to the first baseman, the Yellowjackets hit a two-run shot over left field to cut the lead. Rasmussen gives up another pair of walks just before getting another ground ball to close out the top of the inning. McClain was able to get on base with a single to the right side. An error by the left fielder allowed him to advance to second. The 'Cats were unable to string anymore hits together. The 'Cats still led 9-5.
The 'Cats looked into their bullpen bringing in Josh Touhey on relief. After a strikeout and an error, the Yellowjackets had the bases loaded with two outs. A single through the left side and an error by the 'Cats allowed two more runs to score in favor of the Yellowjackets. The 'Cats got a line out to second base to end the offensive push. Hill was able to draw a walk with two outs. Berryman was hit by a pitch, giving the 'Cats two base runners and one in scoring position. With 'Cats threatening on the bases, the Yellowjackets went deeper into their bullpen. Hampson came up big with a line drive double to left field, driving in Hill, and moving Berryman to third. The 'Cats went down on a fly ball but added an insurance run, they led 10-7.
Touhey made quick work of the Yellowjackets in the sixth. A groundout followed by a pair of strikeouts cut the Yellowjackets to their final chance next inning with authority. Copeland gave the 'Cats life in the bottom of the inning with a single. Tilley doubled off of the right field wall, moving Copeland over to third. The 'Cats were unable to plate either runners before the inning came to an end.
The Yellowjackets started off the top of the seventh with a fly out to left field. A single through the infield was followed up by a pinch-hit two-run home run over the right field fence to bring the Yellowjackets within one. Touhey struck out the next batter looking with a breaking ball to bring the Yellowjackets to their final out. The 'Cats got a ground ball to close out the game and take the series.
The 'Cats won the final game 10-9, winning the series three games to one against the Yellowjackets.
The Wildcats next series is April 10th & 11th in Lacey, WA against Saint Martin's University.
