Walla Walla outslugs Vikings in doubleheader

Nathan Regal (25) of the Big Bend Vikings Baseball team, wheels and deals during the first inning of the team's second game of a twin-bill Saturday against Walla Walla CC. The vikings Dropped both games 11-8 and 15-13

by Alan Dale & Herald Sports Writer
| April 5, 2011 6:30 AM

MOSES LAKE - Well there doesn't seem to be a problem with the Big Bend Vikings' baseball bats.

Unfortunately, there was plenty of bop from the Walla Walla Community College offense as well when the two teams met Saturday at Big Ben.

WWCC stayed unbeaten in Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) East play with an 11-8 15-13 sweep of the Vikings (10-10, 1-3).

The Vikings were back home after spending most of last week playing some top junior college programs in Arizona.

"I was extremely proud of the way we hit the ball today but like I have said all along, we have to play complete games and stay focused throughout," Big Bend head coach Don Lindgren said.

In game one, Walla Walla used a four-run fourth inning to build a 5-2 lead and they would hold off multiple Vikings rallies.

"Walla Walla just beat us," Lindgren said. "We both hit the ball well and fielded it well. They just got more two-strike and two-out hits than we did. Randy Button actually threw the ball extremely well for us but they just hit some great pitches that found some holes."

Big Bend registered 12 hits while Walla Walla knocked out 14 hits.

Leading the Big Bend attack was Billy Karwacki went 2-for-5 with two RBI, Bryan Karwacki went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, and Matt Herbert who belted a home run as did Jake Faulk.

Randy Button started and took the loss from the mound.

The nightcap saw both teams get rolling early and then Big Bend took a lead before seeing Walla Walla rally.

Tied at 6-6 after three innings, the game saw Big Bend score six runs over their next two frames, including a five-run fifth as they broke out to a 12-6 lead.

But Walla Walla would not give in and would score two, five, and two runs over the last three innings respectively and the rally was complete.

"Unfortunately our defense let us down and Walla Walla took advantage of two huge errors and scored those nine runs," Lindgren said. "We scored one run in the bottom of the ninth and had the bases loaded but Walla Walla's closer settled down and stuck out the last hitter."

Button ended up 4-for-5 with two RBI and a double, Brandon Vannoy went 3-for-6 with a home run, a double, and two RBI, Brett Gray went 3-for-6 with a RBI, a double, and three runs scored, Bryan Karwacki went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, and Faulk had a home run,

Big Bend ended up with 20 hits and committed four errors as Walla Walla booted six errors as well in stormy conditions.