Tigers roar onto the diamond

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers opened the 2024 season with two wins on Saturday, defeating Orting and Quincy at home with scores of 3-1 in both outings.

“We had great pitching in both of those games,” Ephrata head coach David Tempel said. “Our pitchers were able to minimize big innings from the other team in both games; we gave up an early run, and then they were able to settle in and all three guys played really great for us.”

After Orting went up 1-0 in the top of the first inning on a bases-loaded walk, Ephrata only surrendered one hit the remainder of the game and put up three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, where senior Devyn Derr, senior Aidan Devine and sophomore Brady Hendrick all scored on bases-loaded walks.

Tempel credited senior Cody Black’s performance on the mound for keeping Ephrata in the game; Black surrendered one hit and struck out eight Cardinal batters.

“Early in the year you haven’t seen many live arms, so it takes some time to find your rhythm as a hitter and see the release point,” Tempel said. “The biggest thing was patience; they walked a couple of guys and threw a ball away, so that allowed us to take advantage.”

The Saturday night game against Quincy had a similar start, with the Jacks going up 1-0 in the top of the first. Hendrick tied the game by stealing home in the bottom of the third inning, with Black recording an RBI in the same inning to give Ephrata the lead. Senior Hans Roberts scored on a fifth-inning error to give Ephrata its 3-1 win.

“It shows that we’re never out of a game,” Tempel said. “Our guys are pretty resilient, and they've played a lot of baseball. Even if we give up a couple of runs early, we can still keep grinding away and keep at it.”

The Tigers host West Valley (Spokane) Thursday at 2 p.m. before beginning Central Washington Athletic Conference play Saturday on the road against Grandview

“We’re going to throw (in) a couple of different guys on Thursday that haven’t pitched yet this year to give them some innings and see what they can do,” Tempel said. “Ultimately, the name of the game for us is we’re going to come out and compete like crazy. We’re going to put our best foot forward every single time we step on the diamond.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box scores

Vs. Orting

ORT: 1-0-0-0-0-0-0 1
EPH: 0-0-0-0-3-0-X 3

Vs. Quincy

QCY: 1-0-0-0-0-0-0 1
EPH: 0-0-2-1-0-0-X 3

    Ephrata sophomore Brady Hendrick (6) starts his slide into second base during Saturday’s game against Quincy.
  

    Ephrata senior Walker Fulk swings at an incoming pitch Saturday night against Quincy.