Vikings defeat Yakima Valley in doubleheader

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend picked up its first sweep of an opponent in over a month Wednesday, defeating Yakima Valley 15-4 and 5-4 in a home doubleheader.

In the opening game, Big Bend wiped out an early Yakima Valley lead with back-to-back RBI doubles by first baseman JT Penrod and shortstop Tyson Laugen to go up 2-1. Once Yakima Valley tied the ballgame up at three in the top of the third inning, Viking third baseman Oak Held delivered a solo home run to put Big Bend up for good in the bottom of the third inning. 

While Laugen, Penrod and left fielder Gunner Graves tied for a team-high in hits (three), Graves drove in five runs in the game to lead Big Bend. Joining the trio with multi-hit days were second baseman Rory Swanson, right fielder Ryley Doig, Held, and center fielder Roman Basurto, who all had two hits in the win.

On the mound, pitcher Hayden Schooler got the start and pitched all seven innings, surrendering 11 hits, two walks, four earned runs and struck out nine Yakima Valley batters. 

Wednesday’s nightcap was a much closer game. After Yakima Valley went up 3-0 with a three-run top of the third, Doig delivered a grand slam that sent home Graves, Swanson and catcher Blaine Macdonald, and gave Big Bend its first lead of the day.

Yakima Valley answered with a tying run in the top of the fourth, but a solo home run from Graves put Big Bend on top yet again, as the Vikings held on for a 5-4 win. 

Doig and Held both collected two hits in the win, with Doig’s four RBI being a team-high. Starting pitcher Garin Gurtler pitched six innings, surrendering seven hits, one earned run, two walks and struck out six Yakima Valley batters in the win.

Big Bend travels to Yakima Valley for a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch is at 1 p.m.