LEWISTON, Idaho – Ryan Eddy tossed seven strong innings in a Game 1 victory over Concordia, but The College of Idaho could not hold a four-run lead in the eighth inning of the afternoon game, falling to Central Washington at the Guardian Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing Tournament at Harris Field.
Concordia Box Score Central Washington Box Score
Eddy allowed just four hits and two unearned runs to log the 3-2 victory over Concordia, striking out four. Michael Garza hit the first man he faced in the eighth, but erased him with a double-play ball – then set the next four batters down to earn the save.
The Cavaliers (2-5) tallied an unearned run in the first inning, thanks to a hit by pitch, error, and a wild pitch, but the Coyotes responded in the third. Singles by Sam Johnston and Parker Vernon and a mishandled sacrifice bunt by Riley Humberger loaded the bases – with a wild pitch and a Jarel Lewis sacrifice fly giving The C of I (2-4) the lead.
CU would tie the score in the sixth – as an error led to a Ryne Briley RBI groundout, but the Yotes responded in the bottom half, as Jake Hennessey singled, his pinch-runner Clay Mathews stole second, and scored on a Jesse Dodd sacrifice fly.
Lewis had the lone multi-hit game for the Yotes, going 2-for-3, while four different Cavaliers had one hit. Eddie Crowe took the loss for CU, despite allowing just four hits in six innings.
Game 2 saw the Yotes hold a 7-3 lead in the eighth inning after a two-out, two-run double from Seth Champlin and an RBI single from Vernon. However, an error in the bottom of the frame kept the inning alive, and Justin Peterson singled home two to cut the lead in half.
In the bottom of the ninth, Eddie Malone singled home a run to cut the margin to 7-6, but with two outs, the Wildcats (3-6) strung together three-straight hits off Garza, including the game-winner from Ethan Sterkel.
Taylor Nicholson was the tough-luck pitcher for the Yotes, as he worked into the ninth inning, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. However, The C of I could not take advantage of 17 hits and five CWU errors - having six base-runners thrown out - including one at home plate, and two at third base.
Champlin went 3-for-5 with three RBI, Nick Muncy went 3-for-4, and Dodd went 3-for-5 in the loss, with Vernon and Johnston each logging two hits.
The C of I returns to action tomorrow, meeting No. 8 ranked Lewis-Clark State at 4 p.m.
