Another split for Big Bend Vikings battle Spokane 14 innings in game two before falling 4-3

Everything seemed to be in place for the Big Bend Vikings to sweep Spokane on Wednesday.

The Vikings' starting pitchers were almost untouchable, the defense was solid, but the offense sputtered for the Vikings. Even with a 6-2 win in game one, Big Bend held on as long as it could on the mound and in the field until the Sasquatch finally broke down the Viking defense with a 5-3 win in a 14 inning game two of a doubleheader.

"That is a problem we have been facing all year," Big Bend pitching coach Dave Heaverlo said. "We are able to do well in the first game, but are not there in the second game."

After posting six runs on seven hits in the first game, the Vikings could only muster three runs on five hits over 14 innings.

"They reverse themselves and I don't know if it is the break between games," Heaverlo added.

Big Bend had to face Alan Cannell for a third of the sixth inning and on through the 14th. Cannell gave up an unearned run in the sixth, but allowed two hits over eight innings with 11 strike outs to pick up the 5-3 win in game two.

Spokane batters faced four pitchers in that same 8 1/3 inning stretch, scoring two runs on eight hits.

"Give them a lot of credit, the kid on the mound is a Division I kid who transferred into Spokane and give him some credit," Heaverlo said.

It was the defense of the Vikings that prevented the Sasquatch from blowing the game open.

In the bottom of the ninth inning with runners at the corners, Bryan Winston drilled a line drive ball down the third base line, only to be snagged by a diving Willie Ireton for the force out, then dove to third base for the force out on Adam Patchett to end the inning.

Ireton then took the mound and pitched into a jam in the 10th inning, loading the bases with no outs. Ireton got Winston to hit into a fielder's choice out at home plate, followed by a diving catch in left field and finally, Ireton got Potter to strike out to end the inning without any damage.

"Willie is one of those kids that when he sets his mind to it, nothing will keep him from doing it," Heaverlo added.

Daniel Valdez kept Spokane hitless through four innings in game one before giving up a one out single to right field to Jared Potter in the top of the fifth. Valdez lost the shutout in the top of the sixth with Tim Miller's double to left field to score Cory Rickard. Jesse Sizemore followed up with a double of his own to left field to score Miller to even the game at 2-2.

From there, Valdez allowed one hit over the next 3 1/3 innings. Valdez finished the complete game allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four in the process.

The offense for Big Bend kicked out three runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run double by Christian Romple to left field. Eric Duke rounded out the scoring in the inning with another double to score Romple.

The Vikings added one last run in the eighth off another double by Romple.

With the split, the Vikings improve to 12-10 in the NWAACC Eastern Region an in a solid fourth place and final playoff spot. Big Bend has six games remaining on the season and must win five of six to guarantee a playoff spot in the NWAACC tournament.

"Our team hit a low there and now we need to get a doubleheader win for us to keep in this thing," Heaverlo said.