Pitching Struggles In Split Versus Warriors

After back to back splits, the Vikes needed to start collecting sweeps to make up ground from their sluggish start. BBCC packed up and hit the road to Walla Walla, WA to begin their four game set versus the Warriors.

Hayden Schooler was handed the ball looking to record his fourth consecutive quality start. Unfortunately, Schooler nor the Viking defense was as sharp as they had been over the previous couple series, with the Viking starter grinding through 4 innings giving up 4 runs, 3 being earned while walking 5 and striking out 3. Schooler left the game with a 7-4 lead as the trusted James Macrae took over where he tossed four shutout innings before being lifted with an 11-4 lead. With Viking pitching silencing the Warrior offense, the BBCC offense popped off recording 13 hits, with Roman Basurto leading the way with 3 hits while Gunnar Graves and JT Penrod each collected two hits a piece. With the Viking offense surging and the BBCC pitching taking care of business, Big Bend was able to take game one of the series by a score of 11-5.

Garin Gurtler was handed the ball in game two looking to complete the road sweep and struggled as Schooler did. Gurtler battled heavily in the second inning with his command and was ultimately lifted from the ball game after surrendering 6 runs, 4 being earned after recording just 5 outs. Jesse Brown took over to bridge the middle innings and managed to toss 3 1/3 innings of shutout baseball giving the Vikes time to chip away at the six run deficit. The Vikes were able to cut the lead to four as Bryce Laforest came on. Unfortunately, the back end right hander struggled as well giving up a four spot making it a 10-2 ball game in favor of the Warriors. With BBCC running out of outs, Tyson Laugen crushed a grand slam in the top of the 9th inning to cut the lead to four. The Vikes were one swing away from making it a one run game with two outs but were unable to come through, dropping game two by a score of 10-6. Head Coach Chase Tunstall had this to say regarding the split.

"We have to find a way to get two. With us digging ourselves a hole early we have to make up ground and splits just aren't going to do it. We have to find a way to lock in for 18+ innings and find a way to get it done. We are in must win ball games for the remainder of the season as far as I am concerned. A sense of urgency has to be how we have to play each out for the remainder of the season if we want to play post season baseball."

The Vikes host the Warriors at Viking Field on Saturday April 20th for a double header at 1:00 and 4:00.

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