Tigers comeback for victory

Ephrata 9, Naches 5

EPHRATA — New Ephrata head coach Jason Laugen earned his first win on his birthday.

"It's my birthday today," said Laugen. "It's also just good to get that first win."

Naches scored three early runs against the Tigers Tuesday.

Brett Bazaldua cut the lead to two, driving in Derrick Webb before being tagged out at first in the bottom of the first inning.

In the bottom of the third, Ephrata was down 4-1 when the Tigers put together a scoring run.

Austin Chamberlain hit a line-drive single to the outfield to get on base and was batted in by a double to the fence by Webb.

"Derrick (Webb) had a good hit to score Austin (Chamberlain)," said Laugen.

Eric Tinnell followed Webb's RBI with two RBIs of his own. He hit a line-drive to the right-field fence to give Webb the chance to cross the dish. Tinnell crossed the plate after the Naches relay sailed wide of third base, going out of play, and allowing the run in. The play tied the game at four.

"We got down early but I told the team 'it's a long game and now it's our turn to go out and hit,'" Laugen said. "They showed some perseverance and came back and competed."

At the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers pulled ahead and never relinquished the lead.

Kory Frank was walked in the lead off spot and headed to second on a base-hit to center by Ryan Burck. Brett Robinson was tagged out at first during his at bat but advanced the Ephrata runners to second and third bases.

Chamberlain was also tagged out at first but earned an RBI after driving Frank in and allowing Burck to head to third. Burck was driven in by a single to center by Webb to give the Tigers a two-run lead.

Tinnell continued the hitting streak for Ephrata, earning a base-hit that rolled down the third base line.

"Eric (Tinnell) went 3-for-4 with a triple to score," said Laugen. "That was a big play."

Bazaldua earned a double on a Naches error and recorded two RBIs as Webb and Tinnell crossed homeplate.

The Tigers' final run of the inning came off the bat of Travis Ruffin. He hit a double to left field that sent Bazaldua home.

Ephrata allowed one more run in the game.

The Tigers' nine runs came off of 11 hits and the team committed one error. Aaron Bracht was the winning pitcher. Naches had seven hits and one error.