Lady Vikings go 1-3 on weekend home stand

MOSES LAKE - It may have not been the kind of results from a homestand the Big Bend Lady Vikings wanted to produce but at least it ended on a positive note.

After being swept on Friday against Wenatchee Valley College, the Lady Vikings rallied for a nightcap win against Yakima Valley Community College the next day to wrap a 1-3 stay at home this past weekend and move into a new week with a win in their review mirror.

On Friday, Wenatchee Valley (18-2, 10-2) proved why they are on of the top teams in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) with a 9-0, 6-2 sweep of the double dip between the teams.

"We struggled a bit, had quite a few errors, and their pitching was good so we just couldn't get the bats going on the day," Big Bend head coach Jeremy Iverson said. "I liked how the kids kept pushing though.  The bottom of the 7th in the second game we finally pushed a few runs across to score two.  Even though the kids found themselves behind all day they kept working hard until the last out, there was no giving up."

WVC came close to recording two shutouts in a row before that last frame.

Big Bend was held to three hit in the opener and committed six errors. The Lady Vikings recorded five hits in the finale and held their guests' bats in check wit five hits themselves.

Kali Heller had two hits in the first game and Erica Hanson had a double to earn the big hit honors in the second contest.

Hanson took the loss in the first game while Shantel McCashland was tagged with the defeat on the mound in the nightcap for Big Bend.

On Saturday, the Lady Vikings (12-10, 5-7) got involved in two shootouts with YVCC (10-12, 3-8).

In the opener, Big Bend fell behind 5-0 after the top of the third inning before their bats finally started to hum.

The Lady Vikings recorded a total of 16 hits and would score in every inning following the second frame and would eventually tie the game at 10-10 going into the seventh inning.

Then YVCC would score five runs in the top of the frame and would hold on for the 15-11 win.

Big Bend committed five errors in game.

"Our bats came alive but that first game was a heartbreaker," Iverson said. "Anytime you score 11 runs in a game you should take home the win, but they hit the ball when they needed to, and outscored us.  I guess sometimes you just have to tip your cap."

Hanson took the loss despite the team recording six extra base hits including a home run from Brook Vincent and two doubles by Jessica Wald.

The last chance for a win came in the nightcap and the Lady Vikings would win an 8-7 barnburner.

Five lead changes occurred including when the Lady Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

YVCC took the lead back 3-2 two innings later but the Big Bend girls would tie the game at 3-3 to wrap up the third frame.

Big Bend then scored three runs in the fifth inning to lead 6-3 but Yakima Valley would tie things right back up in the top of the sixth,

In their next at bat, YVCC scored once to lead 7-6 heading into Big Bend's last at bat.

"In the second game it was back a forth the whole game," Iverson said. "When we thought we were in control they would come back, and then our kids would battle up to take the lead."

They took their final lead when it mattered.

Brin Neff would homer to tie the game at 7-7.

"That was huge as it seemed to relieve some of the pressure," Iverson said.

Vincent got to first base on a single, was bunted over to second and Hanson moved the runner to third.

Ali Hirschi worked herself into a two-out walk and that brought on Moses Lake High School alum Crystal Mertes who ultimately hit a 1-2 pitch over the leftfielder to win the game on a walkoff single.

"We could not have won without everyone contributing in some way," Iverson said. "It is just another example of how different kids have been stepping up when asked to create some of the team success they have had so far this year."

Both teams had 11 hits as Miller, Vincent and Neff all homered while Miller and Vincent both had two hits apiece.

McCashland earned the win from the mound.

"It was great to see the team celebrate as a group on the field after the win, showing the unselfishness and support they seem to have for each other," Iverson said. "We will keep working hard as we are presented with another week, and continue to strive to be better on a daily basis."

Right now Big Bend is one game out of fourth place and the final NWAACC playoff spot out of the East Division.