College baseball -- Split not half bad YVCC wins opener in 11, continues resurgence by ROGER UNDERWOOD Yakima Herald-Republic
ANDY SAWYER/Yakima Herald-Republic YVCC's Bruce Amende reacts after being called safe at home past the tag of Columbia Basin College's catcher Vaughn Prow for the winning run in the 11-inning, opening game of a doubleheader against CBC Wednesday at Parker Field.
ANDY SAWYER/Yakima Herald-Republic YVCC's Seth
Englebert makes it safely to second on a close play with
Columbia Basin College's Brady Farrington during the first
game of a doubleheader Wednesday at Parker Field.
YAKIMA -- They didn't dogpile on the pitcher's mound in celebration, if for no other reason than there was another game to play.
Then again, it's entirely possible that the magnitude of the moment had not registered Wednesday with the Yakima Valley Yaks.
"I honestly don't think these guys realize, even now, how well they're doing," coach Ken Mortensen said. "And I'd just as soon keep it that way."
There had in fact been reason for revelry among the Yaks, in the form of a 6-5, 11-inning conquest of mighty Columbia Basin in the first game of an Eastern Region doubleheader at Parker Field. Mortensen's measured response came after CBC had responded with a 16-4, seven-inning pounding in Game 2.
But again, some perspective here. A Yakima Valley split wasn't half bad.
The Hawks, defending region champions, are 380-128 and have won two NWAACC titles under Scott Rogers, who will be succeeded next year by former Washington State and Lower Columbia coach Steve Farrington.
So it was indeed noteworthy when Bruce Amende slid home safely after Ezzard Wilkins' two-out single in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 1, because Yakima Valley had improved its region record to 4-0 and its season mark to 15-5 -- the latter with the help of three forfeit wins.
And even with the Game 2 loss, YVCC seemed poised for its strongest playoff push of Mortensen's tenure.
"The first game was huge," the coach said, "because it gave our guys confidence they could beat any team in our region. But the second game exposed one of our weaknesses, which is on the mound.
"Just as Levi (Mitchum) set the tone in the first game, our pitchers set the tone in the second."
Mitchum had been stellar, allowing only one first-inning run and three hits through eight innings of the opener. And while he allowed a walk and single to start the ninth before giving way to Amende, the freshman right-hander from Highland had put the Yaks in position to win.
And win they did, despite losing a two-run lead and falling behind 4-3 on a two-out, two-run, bad-hop single in the ninth. Yakima Valley tied it in the bottom of the inning, again fell behind in the top of the 10th, then pulled even yet again in the bottom of the frame.
In the 11th, with two out, Amende and Saby Martinez singled to put runners at first and second. Wilkins followed with a sharp base hit that CBC right-fielder Drew Goodman fielded and threw home seemingly in time to get Amende.
But when catcher Vaughan Prow reached for the tag, the ball fell away.
"It would have been devastating," Mortensen said, "to have lost that game."
Said Mitchum, "I wanted to finish, but I was running out of juice. I just had a feeling, though, that the guys would pull it out."
Game 1
Columbia Basin 100 000 003 10 -- 5 6 4
Yakima Valley 000 001 111 11 -- 6 9 0
Hjellum, Peden (8), Rutherford (9) and Prow; Mitchum, Amende (9) and Helmberger, Mackie (10).
Highlights: Drew Goodman (CBC) 2-5, 2b, RBI; Rory Johnson (CBC) 1-1, 2 RBI; Matt Peterson (YVCC) 3-5, 2 RBI; Bruce Amende (YVCC) 2-7.
Game 2
Columbia Basin 047 041 0 -- 16 18 1
Yakima Valley 201 100 0 -- 4 11 2
Gallagher, Dallas (6) and Johnson; England, Miller (3), Hill (3), Dempsey (6), Rodriguez (7) and Marquez.
