Treasure Valley steals one from Big Bend

Jackie Martin throws a gem to lead the Chukars over Big Bend in game two

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend had all the makings of a sweep to help secure their place as a playoff team in the Eastern Region. First, they were facing the last-place team of the division, second they took game one 13-2 of the doubleheader and last, Erica McAlmond was throwing a gem for the Lady Vikings.

Instead, Jackie Martin complimented McAlmond's performance with a gem of her own, Big Bend left eight runners on base, and the Chukars took advantage of a bases loaded situation in the top of the 10th inning to score the winning run and take the second game 2-1.

"We didn't execute offensively like we could have," said Big Bend head coach Ken Johnson.

Big Bend, who is nestled in the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Region, continued to struggle in the second game, failing to beat a non-playoff contending team in the division and sweep the doubleheader. Johnson said the mental approach to becoming a playoff contender has plagued the Lady Vikings as they try to make the playoffs for the first time since Johnson took on the coaching job.

Something, Johnson said, needs to be learned before Big Bend wraps up the final spot with 12 games left in the regular season.

"When you want to get into the playoffs, you have to beat the teams at the bottom and that is the bottom line," Johnson said.

Game two became proof of what Johnson has been trying to avoid all season with the Lady Vikings.

McAlmond opened up the game hitting Tammy Smith in the foot. Smith was later thrown out trying to steal third base and the Lady Vikings got out of the inning on after Treasure Valley's Stephanie Hill popped up to Natalin Jones.

Jones led off the bottom of the first with an infield single to the shortstop, stole second and reached third on a throwing error and scored the Lady Vikings' only run on a sacrifice fly from Megan Platz to center field.

Big Bend then missed an opportunity in the second after Kelly Martinez led off the inning with a double, reach third with two outs and not score.

The Chukars tied the game when Hill doubled to start the fourth inning, moved to third on a Holly Jones single and scored on Tyree Ward's sacrifice fly to left field. Poor baserunning by Holly Jones ended the inning with only the one run.

Big Bend loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with one out and failed to score, leaving two runners in scoring position.

"We did not get the base hits when we needed it," Johnson said.

Both pitchers held their ground through the next five innings, relying on themselves as well as tough defense to send the game into extra innings. In the 10th, Treasure Valley loaded the bases with two out and Stephanie Hill came through with the winning run.

"This is a team that shouldn't beat you," Johnson said, adding: "They have to understand that they can learn from this one and we have 12 more to play."