Coming in with a 4-1 record, Bellevue College baseball struggled to remain above .500 losing three of four this weekend against an undefeated Tacoma squad. The Bulldogs lost two ugly affairs at home on Saturday March 11, 9-2 and 16-11 before splitting yesterday at Tacoma, losing 2-1 before taking the nightcap 4-2.
Saturday’s opener began as an excellent pitching duel between Bellevue’s Nick Miller and Tacoma’s Logan Gerling. However the defense allowed Tacoma to strike first with a couple of costly errors after Brett Otterson’s 2-RBI single gave BC a quick 2-0 lead. After TCC tied the game on those miscues, the bullpen then began a trend that would continue into the night of issuing free passes, as seven walks doomed Bellevue as Tacoma widened the gap with a five-run fifth.
In game two, the game was ugly for both squad’s pitching with nearly 400 total pitches thrown in the game, 230 of those by Bellevue’s three pitchers. 15 walks surrendered by Bellevue pitchers gave the game to Tacoma, although a late surge of eight runs by the Bulldogs offense late in the game was not enough. Al Aurelio had three hits while Jake Terao homered for the Bulldogs.
On Sunday, Bellevue’s pitchers bounced back with a strong outing by several pitchers including Jared Maxfield, Eric Anderson, and Brock Hathaway. For the day in 18 innings of play Bellevue’s arms gave up only four total runs and five hits; a major improvement from the 25 runs surrendered the night before. Maxfield labored in the first inning but settled down to go 5 1/3 innings while scattering only two hits. Garrett Gants was 2-for-4 with a double to lead Bellevue.
In game two, Hathaway tossed a gem, scattering only three hits while walking only one with six strikeouts through six innings of work. Aurelio continued his hot hitting over the weekend with two hits while Terao popped out his second homer of the series; a solo shot with the wind blowing inwards in the seventh inning to give BC a 2-1 lead.
Bellevue is now 5-4 on the year and has a short rest period as they prepare for academic finals this week. The squad hosts Lane (OR) for a doubleheader this Friday March 15 at 4:00 pm. before a quick turnaround for an 11:00 a.m. two-game set against Lane on Saturday. The condensed schedule, done in courtesy to accommodate Lane’s budget and travel needs, puts forth a challenge for Bellevue players to endure 36 innings in one 24-hour period.
Last Updated March 11, 2019
