BBCC Splits Home Doubleheader with Walla Walla to Open Crucial Four-Game Series

Big Bend Community College opened their four-game series against the Walla Walla Warriors at home on Wednesday, April 16, in a day filled with high emotions, offensive fireworks, and late-inning drama.

Sophomore right-hander Garin Gurtler delivered a masterful performance to open the day, keeping the Warriors at bay through eight innings. Gurtler allowed just one run, struck out two, and walked only one in an efficient outing. The Vikings' offense backed him with a run in the third and a clutch two-out, two-RBI single by Blaine Macdonald in the eighth to take a 3-1 lead into the ninth.

Looking to go the distance, Gurtler returned to the mound but allowed back-to-back singles, prompting a move to freshman reliever Garrison Garton. Unfortunately for BBCC, the bullpen couldn't hold the lead as both inherited runners and two of Garton's own came around to score, swinging momentum in Walla Walla's favor.

The Vikings nearly walked it off in the bottom of the ninth after loading the bases with no outs, but the comeback fizzled as BBCC fell 5-3 in a crushing loss.

Offensively, Roman Basurto and Blaine Macdonald were bright spots for the Vikings, each collecting three hits in the contest.

Freshman Cole McKinnon took the hill in game two, hoping to earn a split for the Vikings. But after a pair of defensive miscues, BBCC quickly found themselves in a 7-0 hole after just one inning.

The Vikings refused to fold, clawing back with two runs in the first, two more in the third, and three in the fourth to trim the deficit to 9-7. Walla Walla responded with three more in the sixth, but BBCC's bats exploded in the bottom half, plating nine runs in a wild rally fueled by a three-run homer from JT Penrod.

BBCC tacked on one more in the seventh to extend the lead to 17-12. Brady Sprague gave up two in the top of the ninth before Owen Relkoff came on to shut the door, recording the final two outs and sealing the 17-14 victory.

Rylan Osbjornsen led the way offensively with four hits, including two doubles and a triple. Penrod, Kason Bleckert, and Camron Fleck each tallied three hits, with Penrod driving in six runs in a breakout performance.

The Vikings  now head to Walla Walla for a crucial Saturday doubleheader to close out the series this upcoming Saturday. With playoff implications on the line, BBCC will be looking to carry their offensive momentum and secure the series win on the road.