Spokane Splits Doubleheader with Columbia Basin in Conference Opener
Spokane opened NWAC play with a split against Columbia Basin on Wednesday, riding a strong offensive performance in Game 1 before falling in a tight extra-inning battle in Game 2.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | X | 8 | 9 | 3 |
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Game 1: Spokane 8, Columbia Basin 3
The Sasquatch used steady offense and timely scoring to pull away late and secure the conference-opening win.
Spokane got on the board in the first inning as Thomas Malcolm drove in Chase Edwards with an RBI single.
After Columbia Basin tied the game in the second, Spokane regained control in the fourth. Logan Spradling brought in a run with a groundout, and Malcolm later scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-1.
Columbia Basin answered in the fifth to tie things up, but Spokane responded immediately. In the sixth, Spradling reached on an error that allowed Malcolm to score, putting Spokane back in front for good.
The Sasquatch added insurance in the seventh and eighth innings. Brady Wulf came around to score after reaching on an error and advancing on a wild pitch, while Ty Shepard and Wulf each delivered RBI hits in the eighth to extend the lead to 8-3.
At the plate, Malcolm led the way with a perfect four-hit performance and three runs scored. Spradling drove in two runs, while Wulf and Shepard each added RBIs.
On the mound, David Barnes battled through five innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out five. Braiden Boyd was dominant in relief, tossing four shutout innings to close out the win.
Game 2: Columbia Basin 4, Spokane 3 (10 innings)
Game 2 turned into a back-and-forth battle that ultimately went to extra innings, where Columbia Basin edged Spokane late.
Columbia Basin struck first in the fourth inning, but Spokane answered in the bottom half. Thomas Malcolm brought in a run on an error, and Logan Spradling followed with an RBI single to give Spokane a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks regained the lead in the sixth on a two-run home run, but Spokane responded again in the seventh. Max Workman delivered an RBI single to score Spradling, tying the game at 3-3.
Both teams were held in check down the stretch, forcing extra innings. In the 10th, Columbia Basin capitalized on an error to push across the go-ahead run.
Spokane threatened but couldn't find the equalizer, falling 4-3.
Spradling led the offense with two hits, including a triple and an RBI, while Workman and Malcolm each drove in a run.
On the mound, Luke McGuire was strong in relief, striking out seven over 3.1 innings while allowing just one unearned run.
Key Performers
Thomas Malcolm — 4 hits, 3 runs (Game 1)
Logan Spradling — 2 RBIs (Game 1), 2 hits, RBI (Game 2)
Brady Wulf — RBI, run scored (Game 1)
Max Workman — RBI (Game 2)
Luke McGuire — 3.1 IP, 7 K (Game 2)
