Late Game Heroics Lift Roadrunners

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Linn-Benton baseball team saved their best for last on Saturday, scoring four runs in the final inning of game one and three in the final inning of game two for a pair of victories over Clackamas Community College. Due to weather the games were moved to Goss Stadium on the campus of Oregon State University, with Clackamas the designated home team and Linn-Benton the visitors.

Game 1: 

Pitcher Brody McMullen had another stellar start for the Roadrunners (17-3-1, 13-3 NWAC South) going five innings allowing four hits and no runs while striking out four. However, Cougars (6-10, 6-10 NWAC South) starter Anderson Tordiffe was able to go eight innings allowing just one hit and striking out eight to make for a true pitching duel.

Clackamas would strike first, as Kai Brown was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, and then a Bryson Glassco single would score Joey Giancola to make it 2-0 for Clackamas heading into the top of the ninth inning.

Jake Dodge would get the action started with a single, and he would score on a wild pitch two batters later. Down to their final out, Kolten Lindstrom would hit a single, and steal second. Chase Logan and Eli Rolfe each drew a walk to load the bases and force a Clackamas pitching change.

Bryant Starr came to the plate and drew a walk, scoring Lindstrom. Conner Boyd was hit by a pitch that scored Chase Logan and Sam Giansante also drew a walk to score Rolfe and make the score 4-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Easton Corey came on in the ninth and shut down the Cougars to secure the win. Corey was credited with the save and Wyatt Connally was credited with the win in relief.

Game 2:

Linn-Benton would get to work early in the seven inning contest, scoring in the top of the first inning as Boyd was hit by pitch and would score after Aiden Hazen reached base on a fielding error two batters later to take a 1-0 lead. Then it was time for Caden Richardson to put together his best performance of the season thus far.

Richardson was flawless on the mound, with a perfect game through six innings. In the top of the seventh inning the Roadrunners would provide some insurance runs as Brooks Avery would ground out with the bases loaded to score Lindstrom. Boyd would then single to drive in Giansante and Holmes to make the score 4-0.

Richardson's bid for a perfect game fell short after allowing one run and two hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, but he was credited with the victory after going the distance.

The Roadrunners return home for a pair of games at home against visiting Southwestern Oregon Community College Thursday, April 3. Both games are scheduled for nine innings and start times are 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.