Big Bend softball drops three on the road

LACEY - Big Bend softball was poised to record its first win of the season until Centralia was able to pull ahead behind a sixth inning rally.

The game against the Trailblazers saw five lead changes, including three in the final two innings.

The Vikings led 10-8 entering the bottom of the sixth, but after shaky pitching loaded the bases Centralia was able to push three runners across due to a hit batter and two walks to escape with an 11-10 win.

Big Bend is now 1-3 after the loss against Centralia.

BBCC was able to beat Everett, 9-1, fell to Lower Columbia, 15-6, and received a 19-6 thumping at the hands of Clark.

Weather has not been the Viking's ally this season.

Before this past weekend, Big Bend had to cancel six games due to rain and snow.

It wasn't much better in Lacey.

"The problem was we were playing on a field that was turf on the infield, it was grass on the outfield and they wouldn't let us wear spikes," head coach Ray Moffitt said. "So, kids were slipping and sliding all over the place ... It really was raining."

Moffitt's team, comprised of California and Idaho natives, had problems dealing with the torrential rain.

Unlike other teams, Big Bend was able to escape the inclimate weather with its health.

"The outfield was dangerous," Moffitt said. "The kids are out there with sneakers on because we couldn't wear spikes. Some kids really did go down. Not in our game, we got lucky."

Second baseman Brinley Miller and catcher Tiffany King-Phillips swung the bat well for Big Bend and recorded three RBI's each against Centralia.

Erica Chandler, Kelsey Cearley, Lauren Schwalbach and Kim Martin also drove in runs.

Big Bend continues its extended road schedule to start the year with a trip to Walla Walla University for a two-game set.