HRV BASEBALL hung onto their early lead and defeated Pendleton 4-3 to take the season series on a rainy Tuesday evening in Hood River. Above, Adam Cameron smashes a Pendleton pitch as the HRV dugout watches.
HRV BASEBALL hung onto their early lead and defeated Pendleton 4-3 to take the season series on a rainy Tuesday evening in Hood River. Above, Adam Cameron smashes a Pendleton pitch as the HRV dugout watches.
Ben Mitchell
Caden Leiblein makes a leaping catch at shortstop.
Ben Mitchell
Greyson Losee throws a pitch early in Tuesday’s game.
The Eagles baseball team locked up their first season series this year, getting a third win over Pendleton on a very wet Tuesday evening in Hood River, where they edged the Buckaroos 4-3, following up last weekend’s doubleheader sweep.
The skies opened up early in the game, but both teams slogged through what has become a familiar situation during a spring that has been exceptionally rainy, even by Gorge standards. HRV Head Coach Erich Harjo said neither he nor his players were fazed by the precipitation.
“Used to it. It really wasn’t a factor at all,” he said dismissively. “It’s been such a wet spring. We typically have to deal with it at least twice a week in practice. Par for the course, man.”
The Eagles (13-6, 5-1 Columbia River Conference) outhit the Bucks (6-13, 2-4) 10-4, with no hit bigger than Adam Cameron’s game-winning home run in the bottom of the fifth, crushing a fly ball to center. The senior was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3, adding two singles to his homer, as well as a stolen base. Cameron scored the first run of the game on a line drive single to center from Connor Coerper (2-for-3, doubles, RBI). Coerper followed that up by scoring on an error by Pendleton’s catcher in the fourth after doubling earlier in the inning. A couple plays later, Lucas Viuhkola (RBI) grounded into fielder’s choice (shortstop to second base), which allowed Casey Ward to score.
Pendleton wasn’t able to get on the board until the fourth inning, thanks in part to a good six-inning shift on the mound from Greyson Losee, who struck out eight batters, giving up four hits and no earned runs.
“We needed a great effort from Greyson, and that was exactly what he gave us,” Harjo said. “He threw exceptionally well. He was calm. He looked very mature on the mound for being a freshman.”
Play faltered somewhat in the sixth inning, during which the Eagles committed two of their five errors, and the Bucks were able to rally with two runs, scoring on two ground ball singles hit to shortstop. Caden Leiblein (1-for-3, single), was brought in as a closer, much to his surprise, as the sophomore had only seen three innings of work thus far this season. Leiblein earned the save, striking out the first two batters.
“It was a little bit unexpected for him. I don’t think he knew or expected he would get on the mound, and I liked it that way,” Harjo said. “He’s such a good competitor. I really don’t worry about him.”
Trenton Hough continued his hitting hot streak, going 2-for-3, both singles, and Morgan Williams also had a good night, hitting two singles in his three plate appearances, and had a stolen base.
HRV made a short trip to The Dalles (9-10, 3-3) Friday evening (results not available at press time) to try and sweep the Riverhawks in a doubleheader, which would nearly solidify a third consecutive CRC title for the Eagles. HRV will then host the Riverhawks for a rematch Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
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