In the marquee matchup of the NWAC for league-opening weekend featuring fourth-ranked Everett and fifth-ranked Bellevue, the Trojans came up on top winning the series 3-1 on a controversial call in the final game of the series.
On Saturday, Nick Miller tossed a gem but came up with a no-decision after exiting in a 0-0 game. Neither team could catch a break offensively in the pitcher’s duel until the eighth inning when Brian Pino blooped a double down the left field line off Bulldog reliever Warren Utschinski to open the inning. A wild pitch and sacrifice fly was all Everett needed to seal the 1-0 win. In the nightcap, the two teams exchanged leads five times before Bellevue finally held the lead for good as a two-out rally, sparked by Riley Gill’s double led to two runs to give BC a 5-4 lead. A throwing error by the pitcher in ninth with the bases-loaded allowed Bellevue to put the game away for good. Brock Hathaway went seven innings allowing only three hits for Bellevue
In Sunday’s matchups at Bellevue, the Bulldog pitchers struggled, losing 11-0 and 6-5. In the nightcap, the teams exchanged leads in similar fashion to game two on Saturday, but two big home runs by Everett were enough to seal the win and series. Pinch hitter Nolan Smith delivered a three -run home run after two walks with two outs to give Everett a 5-4 lead. A solo shot by Mauro Owens gave Everett a 6-5 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Bellevue was on the verge of performing their two-out magic as they did the day before with the tying run at third and winning run at second with the heart of the order up for the Bulldogs. However, home plate umpire Jon Campbell called Al Aurelio out for the final out of the game for making an attempt to get hit by a pitch intentionally while still in the batter’s box. The rule is a new one that was put into play this year and unfortunately ended Bellevue’s threat.
Bellevue hosts Douglas College this Saturday April 6 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Updated April 9, 2019
