Late Game Heroics Lift Beaks Over Clackamas
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Clackamas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
|
Linn-Benton | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Clackamas | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
|
Linn-Benton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
ALBANY, Ore. - The defending NWAC Champions opened up conference play with two home victories over Clackamas Community College. Linn-Benton took the first game 3-0, and needed their final at bat in the second contest to secure the 5-4 victory.
Game 1:
Starting pitcher Connor Mendez went six innings, allowing just three hits, no runs and racking up seven strikeouts in the win. He was relieved by Noah Dewey who threw three innings allowing no hits and striking out two batters to record the save.
On offense the Roadrunners (6-0-1, 2-0 NWAC South) started out strong as Kolten Lindstrom singled to drive in Andrew Demianew in the second inning. They would score again in the third inning when Conner Boyd stole second, which allowed Bryant Starr to score on an error from the catcher to make the score 2-0. Sam Giansante also drove in a run on a sacrifice to score Brooks Avery.
Clackamas (0-2, 0-2 NWAC South) pitcher Osei Kimura recorded the loss for the Cougars.
Game 2:
The Roadrunners again scored first, as Boyd single in the first inning drove in Starr. In the second inning Nick Biagi hit a double that scored Jackson Fera, although Biagi was called out trying to make it to third base.
The Cougars would answer with a Bryson Glassco RBI in the third inning, then Joey Giancola reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning to even the score 2-2. Nick Molitor would drive in William Goth on a sacrifice to put Clackamas ahead 3-2.
Linn-Benton promptly took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning as a Boston Caron double scored Jake Holmes, then Landon Lea drove in Caron on a single to make the score 4-3.
Aaron Menchaca scored on a wild pitch from Linn-Benton's Easton Corey in the top of the sixth inning to even the score 4-4, but the Beaks had a bit of magic left as Boyd proved to be the hero in the final at bat of the game.
Boyd hit a double into left field which took a difficult hop for the fielder, allowing Starr to score on the fielding error and securing the win for Linn-Benton. Jake Von Lubken threw five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three. Corey earned the win in relief, going two innings allowing one run and striking out two.
Linn-Benton returns to home action Saturday, March 1 as they play host to Southwestern Oregon Community College in a double header. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM with the first game scheduled for nine innings and second game for seven innings.