Ninth Inning Run Sends Sasquatch to 3-2 Victory over Lower Columbia

LONGVIEW, Wash. – The Spokane Sasquatch used a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to defeat Lower Columbia 3-2 in the winner's bracket of the NWAC Baseball Championship on Friday night at David Story Field.

The nightcap was a low-scoring affair but featured plenty of action and tough at-bats as hitters worked long counts throughout the night. With a 2-2 tie heading into the ninth, Spokane drew a pair of walks and reached on a wild pitch after a strikeout to load the bases. Then with two outs, Bryson Vaughn drew the bases loaded walk to score the eventual winning run.

The Red Devils got one runner on in the ninth, but Troy Shephard held on strong to complete the victory. Shephard pitched 4.1 innings in relief as he allowed one run on two hits with eight strikeouts.

Shephard relieved Nick Bateman who pitched the first 4.2 innings for the Sasquatch, allowing one run as well. Jaxson Davis went 2-for-5 with a run scored and RBI to lead the offense while Garrett Gores also drove in a run.

Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, the Red Devils tied the score on an RBI single by Kyle Parkman who went 2-for-3 with both runs batted in for LCC.

Red Devil starter Noah Imboden allowed two runs over four innings. Joey Pearson was outstanding in relief as he allowed one unearned run over 4.2 innings.

The Sasquatch will continue on in the winner's bracket as they will take on the lone other undefeated team in Tacoma at 5:35 p.m. on Saturday. The Red Evils move down to the loser's bracket and will face Bellevue on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. in an elimination game.

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Contact: Iain Dexter; idexter@clark.edu