Bellevue College baseball has caught fire at the right time, winning all three games in the North Region Tourney to earn the #1 seed for the North Region and a spot in the NWAACC Championships where they will get a chance to defend their title. The Bulldogs’ opening round game will be against Columbia Basin, the team Bellevue knocked off twice on Championship Monday last year to win the title.
Showing similarities with the ’09 championship squad, the Bulldogs took the region tourney after laboring for much of the regular season. Bellevue’s pitchers responded in the tourney with a strong showing, allowing only 3 runs in the entire tourney. In game one on Friday May 21, Ian Parmley was in control on the mound as Bellevue’s bats were hot from the beginning. The Bulldogs put up a run in the first inning and were up 6-0 by the fourth as they coasted to an 8-1 win. Tyler Cox had 3 hits while Parmley, Garrett Patterson, Nick Smith, and Cory Urquhart had 2 apiece. On Saturday May 22, Bellevue was seeking redemption for the lackluster performance two weeks ago when they lost to Edmonds by scores of 8-2 and 14-1. Kyle Swannack frustrated the hot Edmonds hitters all game, throwing a two-hit complete game shutout against the regular season league champs. The game was scoreless until Alex Ross drew a 2-out walk in the 7th inning. Ryan Burnett followed with a double to drive in Ross to put Bellevue on top 1-0. Cody Edwards followed up with insurance RBI’s in the 8th to give Bellevue a 3-0 win. Burnett also had a highlight catch, snagging a fly ball while leaping off the wall in center field. On Sunday May 23, Bellevue’s pitching strategies paid off, as staff ace Seafth Howe was saved and ready for a re-match with Everett, who would need two wins over Bellevue to earn the bid to the NWAACC Championships. Howe kept Everett in check, throwing a 2-hitter as Smith went 4-for-4 to lead the Bulldogs to a 6-2 win. Parmley continued his hot hitting with 3 RBI’s.
The Bulldogs will be making their second consecutive appearance at the NWAACC Championships, and their third in the last four years.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
