Wenatchee Valley explodes for eight runs in game two to split with Big Bend

MOSES LAKE — Any security Big Bend felt heading into game two of its doubleheader with Wenatchee Valley was quickly lost in the third inning when the Knights started their scoring spree.

Wenatchee came off a first-game 2-1 loss to the Vikings to run up an 8-4 win in the second game to pull within a game of Big Bend in the Eastern Region standings. The Vikings have now gone 1-3 in their last four games, falling to fourth-place in league, a fall head coach Donnie Lindgren isn't too concerned about.

"We are improving and seeing some things we want to see," Lindgren said.

The best proof of Big Bend's direction came out of game one with Brian Parker picking up the win, allowing one run on six hits. Jake Angier picked up the save for Big Bend.

Game two proved the opposite.

Brent Wyatt put Wenatchee Valley's first run on the board with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Severo Rodriguez. Kyle Wilmot also scored in the inning on a sacrifice bunt by Brady Lamb to put the Knights up 2-0.

In the sixth, Wenatchee Valley pitcher Derek Shoemaker got some extra insurance after Ross Brown drove in the third run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field, then a shortstop throwing error allowed Rodriguez and Wilmot to score to push the lead to 5-0.

Big Bend took advantage of a seventh inning stretch Alecs Guerrero coming off the bench for an RBI single, followed by two RBI infield singles by Rick Templeton and Nick Dietzen to cut the lead to 5-3 and Greg Biagi capped off the scoring on a suicide squeeze bunt to bring Guerrero in for the final run of the inning.

Wenatchee Valley retaliated in the top of the eighth after Wilmot and Brent Wyatt reached base safely and Nic Galfano hit a home run to left field for the final runs of the game.

"It is probably the first good ball he has hit against us in two years," Lindgren said.