The Dalles second baseman Dawson Hoffman throws to first base for the out in a 5A baseball game played at Quinton Street Ballpark in The Dalles. Against Bend, TD lost 8-1 in the first game, but rebounded for 15 hits in a 14-3 nightcap victory over the Lava Bears.
The Dalles second baseman Dawson Hoffman throws to first base for the out in a 5A baseball game played at Quinton Street Ballpark in The Dalles. Against Bend, TD lost 8-1 in the first game, but rebounded for 15 hits in a 14-3 nightcap victory over the Lava Bears.
The Dalles baseball coach J.R. Runyon applauded his team’s effort, grit and perseverance in two road games against a tough Bend Lava Bear team.
In a doubleheader played Saturday, the Riverhawks lost the opening game by an 8-1 score, but then battled back with 15 hits and a 15-3 mercy-ruled win in the second game to salvage the sweep in a non-league baseball contest played at Bend High School.
“We competed today. Every single player gave everything they had every inning,” Runyon said of the group’s overall performance. “As a coaching staff, we were pleased with the team’s effort today in both games.”
TD managed four hits and received two walks in the first game, but could not solve Bend starter Kota Carter, as it stranded seven runners in all.
The Riverhawks were able to get a run across the plate in the top of the first inning on two hits, one from Johnny Miller followed by an RBI double by Colton Walker, but left a runner in scoring position.
TD added a hit apiece in the third and seventh innings, and went hitless from the third through sixth.
Daniel Peters, Miller, Walker and Cash Mathewson posted a hit each, and both Boston Bate and Mathewson reached with walks.
“The first game, we attacked the baseball well but didn't find many holes,” Runyon said.
Bend scored a run each in the first two innings, and then broke the contest open with four in the fourth and added two in the sixth.
Riverhawk starter Bailey Ortega was saddled with loss, as he lasted 3 2/3 innings and allowed six runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked one.
The duo of William Justesen and Dylan DesRochers finished the final 2 1/3 innings on the mound for the Riverhawks.
In the second game, Miller and Dawson Hoffman had three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored each, Mathewson scored three times and DesRochers had a deep double off the wall, two walks and two runs scored in TD’s 14-3 mercy-ruled win.
The Riverhawks scored three runs in the first, tacked on two apiece in the second and third innings, before scoring seven runs in the final two innings to do their damage.
Colin Noonan went 2 for 3 with four runs scored and two RBIs, Walker had two hits, Matt Strizich went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and Kellen Mathisen went 1 for 2 with a walk, a run scored and two RBIs.
“In the second game, we kept at it and found those holes,” Runyon added. “All-and-all, we saw good improvements from guys offensively as well as defensively.”
On the mound, Walker went the distance and scattered six hits, walked three and struck out nine Bend batters in his six frames. Of the three runs allowed, one was earned.
Bend had a couple of rallies, but Walker was able to strand five runners, three in scoring position.
Runyon was happy to see both facets of the game work out for the Hawks in the nightcap.
“A heck of a performance by Walker in the second game on the mound and a great hitting performance by the team,” he said.
TD (2-2 overall) hosts 6A Centennial High School at 2 p.m. for a doubleheader on Thursday.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.