Lady Vikings continue to improve

MOSES LAKE — A program that has struggled for the past few years in many cases would be happy just to play well or win a game once in a while.

But not the Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings’ softball program.

This past weekend the Lady Vikings split two doubleheaders with Columbia Basin College (CBC) on Friday and Walla Walla Community College the following day.

Against CBC, the Lady Vikings fell 9-0 in the opener before fighting back to win the nightcap 9-8 in eight innings to start Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) play.

Angelica Castaneda singled in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth to give Big Bend (4-12, 2-2) the win.

“It was a great experience,” Big Bend coach Jeremy Iverson said. “You could see the growth of confidence in the kids come through in that situation from losing other close games earlier in the season.

Big Bend had 14 hits to back up Rachel Eng’s winning effort on the mound.

Defensively the Lady Vikings continue to improve as they committed only one error.

Against Walla Walla, the Lady Vikings once against bounced back from an opening game loss — dropping a 6-3 decision — to win the second game in the two-game set, 6-2.

In the first game, Big Bend was held to two hits but they improved their offensive prowess in the win, belting out eight hits, as Erika Hanson pitched for the win.

Big Bend broke open a 2-2 tie with a four-run sixth inning.

“The kids showed up ready for a couple tough games,” Iverson said. “They had good focus and were ready for the day. We are not content with splitting, but think it is a step in the right direction with starting 2-2 in league play. We will continue to work hard, and build upon our game experience.”