Big Bend baseball salvages split at Wenatchee Valley

WENATCHEE — Improved pitching helped Big Bend split a road doubleheader against Wenatchee Valley.

The Vikings lost a slugfest in the opener, 15-11, before taking Game 2, 15-7.

The Knights roughed up Big Bend (5-5, 17-11) starter Blake Collier in the first game. Collier was chased after two innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits.

Ben McKay, Austin Earl and Dalton Harum all went deep for Wenatchee Valley.

Big Bend attempted to force extra innings with five runs in the ninth. Nathaniel English led the Vikings with three hits and three RBI.

Warden product Tyson Yamane went 3 1/3 innings of relief, totaling two strikeouts.

Big Bend continued to hit in Game 2, while the defense and pitching stayed more consistent.

The fifth inning was a hit parade unto itself as Big Bend scored seven runs in the top of the frame and Wenatchee Valley followed with six more to make the score 13-7.

Sammuel Fagerness hit a three-run shot in the fifth inning, leading Big Bend with six RBI.

Big Bend sits tied with Blue Mountain for third in the NWAC East.

— Staff report