Big Bend earns split with Walla Walla, remains in third place

WALLA WALLA — Big Bend maintained solid positioning in the NWAC East after splitting a road doubleheader against Walla Walla.

Walla Walla led the opener wire-to-wire and won 5-3. Big Bend’s bats woke up in Game 2 to the tune of 13 hits in a 12-5 win.

In Game 1, Walla Walla led 3-0 through five innings. Sean Coffey scored on a wild pitch and Danny Robinson sprayed an RBI single in the fifth inning.

The Vikings got two back in the sixth inning when Cody Banks homered. The Vikings scratched out one more run in the eighth inning, but could not complete their rally.

There was no need for a rally in the night cap as Big Bend scored four runs in the second inning to open up a lead it never relinquished.

Warden’s Tyson Yamane earned the win on the mound. Kyle Tolf drove in three runs and Derek Almanza was 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Big Bend hosts second-place Spokane Saturday. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

— Staff report