Last home game Thursday to decide playoff future
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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The Runners quest for first place in the NWAAC South drew closer to its end as Linn-Benton hosted the first of its final four double-header match-ups this past Tuesday, May 6.
Chad Hanson gave up just six hits in seven innings of work, giving up just three runs while keeping the visiting Mt. Hood offense at bay.
After a first inning sac fly by Alex Poff scored Mitch Nelson, the Runners bats were held scoreless until a sixth inning single by Tucker Whitten scored Kyle Kanaeholo from third, tying the game at 2-2.
Mt. Hood scored once again in the top of the seventh but the Runners rally continued with a seventh inning single by Mitch Nelson scored Brent Trask, tying the game at 3-3 heading into the eighth: Nelson was 2 for 4 on the day with two doubles and an RBI.
Dan Maurer relieved Hanson to start the eighth with a three up three down middle relief performance.
Maurer picked up the win in the bottom of the eighth after Trevor Smith, the teams closer, set up his own save opportunity in the bottom of the ninth by hitting a two run single that would ultimately win the game as the Runners won 5-3.
Game two was a pitcher dual as Linn Benton’s Liam Baron and Mt. Hoods Chris Vitus pitched complete games, allowing a combined 11 hits and twelve strikeouts.
Linn-Benton’s offense just couldn’t get going, only scoring in the first and fourth inning as the Runners fell 2-4. Baron picked up just his third loss of the season despite just three earned runs.
Just two days later the team was back at it, hosting Clackamas who, at the time, was in second place.
Playoff-implications at hand, the Runners showed savvy as they continued their impressive season with a 3-0 first game win.
Mitch Nelson’s walk off homerun to start the game boosted the Runners confidence and provided the pitching staff with a 1-0 lead to begin the inning.
DH Tucker Whitten added to his hot week of hitting going 2 for 4 with two RBI singles.
Scott Allred threw seven innings, giving up only three hits in twenty-two batters faced along with five strikeouts and most importantly, a 3-0 run. Trevor smith threw the final two innings to pick up the save.
The second game provided a hitting barrage as the two teams finished with a combined 23 hits for the game, 13 of them coming from Linn Benton.
Led by the consistency of Mitch Nelson the Runners compiled 11 runs, five of them coming from two Nelson singles and a double. Mt. Hood was forced to use five different pitchers in the game, none of which could stop the steamrolling offense of the Runners.
Shane Marks picked up his third win of the season, relieving Derek Grieve after the second inning and went on to pitch three innings, giving up just one run on four hits. Trevor Smith added to his much increased save total, throwing a scoreless seventh.
Saturday, May 10th the Runners faced Clackamas once again but this time they were on the road.
The two teams would split the series as the Runners lost the first game 6-2. Pitcher Chad Hanson earned his second loss of the season throwing 122 pitches, giving up six hits, and four earned runs.
Brent Trask led all hitters gong 3 for 4 at the plate and right fielder Blaine Goodwin was 1 for 3 with two RBIs.
Linn-Benton’s ace, Liam Baron was back on the mound for the “must-win” second game match-up. Baron showed Clackamas what he does best – win games.
Throwing six innings, the lefty faced 28 batters, striking out three and giving up eights in the 4-3 narrow victory.
Smith earned his 11th save of the season, giving him the most saves in the NWAACC South.
Shane Garrett provided the Runners with two of the four runs going 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Catcher Colt Savage was 1 for 3 with an RBI and A.J. Allen went 2 for 3 with an RBI and two singles.
The win improves the Runners record to 19-9,tied with Mt. Hood for first place in the NWAACC South. A sweep at home on Thursday, April 15 against Chemeketa locks up first place for the Runners. The double header starts at 1 p.m.
The 2008 Baseball Championships in Longview, Washington run from May 22-26. If the Runners win both games Thursday. they will play the North’s second place team at 9:35 a.m. on May 22. If the Runners lose Thursday they will face the North’s first place time at 12:35 p.m.
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