Bellevue College, in yet another lengthened four-game set over a three-day period due to rain, won three out of four games, to run their record to 13-5 overall.
On Saturday March 25, Bellevue faced Pierce College and the top pro prospect in the NWAC in Pierce pitcher Leif Strom. In a game attended by several professional scouts, Bellevue jumped up 4-0 on Strom. Up 4-2 in the sixth inning, Bellevue starter Jake Lambro wore down due to fatigue, giving up back-to-back extra base hits. The bullpen faltered by surrendering a walk and two hits, and Bellevue’s lead was gone. The Bulldogs ended up on the short end for the fourth time against Pierce, bowing 6-4. In the nightcap, Bellevue bounced back with a strong offensive showing against Mount Hood, who traveled north for a non-league battle against the Bulldogs. Bellevue jumped ahead 5-0 but then allowed Mount Hood to tie the game with walks and hit batters in the top of the fourth. Bellevue would then regain the lead as Austin Shenton paced Bellevue’s offense with a 3-for-5 showing including a home run and double.
On Monday March 27, Bellevue’s offense erupted again by putting up 23 runs in the doubleheader sweep over Tacoma, winning 16-7 and 7-1. In game one, in a game in which the offensive mojo was flowing from the first at bat, Bellevue put up six runs in the first inning, and had a total of 15 runs by the third inning. Grant DeLappe, who had six RBI’s in the game, hit a grand slam home run in the second inning. Austin Pinorini and Shenton then hit back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches in the third. Pinorini had four RBI’s. DeLappe and Dominic Marinez had three hits apiece. Elijah Hill struck out nine in a solid outing, despite TCC hitters scrapping together six runs off the hard-throwing right-hander. In game two, Kash Koltermann ran his record to 3-0 with a dominant three-hitter through seven innings of work. Two of the hits were in one inning which led to TCC’s lone run. DeLappe hit his second home run of the day to run his RBI total to 21; second overall in the NWAC. Aki Buckson also homered for Bellevue.
For the day, BC hit five home runs, 23 runs, and 26 hits. Bellevue also took over the #1 NWAC Rating Percentage Index (RPI) ranking, which considers overall record, record against opponents with winning records, and the opponents’ records overall. The RPI ranking is similar to what is used at the NCAA level when ranking teams.
Bellevue is now 13-5 overall and faces yet another tough challenge this weekend as they host Chemeketa (OR) this Thursday March 30 at 1:00 p.m. Chemeketa is enjoying their best season in years at 12-2 and is ranked #5 in the RPI rankings and was an NWAC championship qualifier a year ago.
Last Updated March 28, 2017
