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Photo by Jake Fray/The Advocate
Freshman Griffin Boyd waits for a pitch during the first game against Columbia Basin Community College doubleheader Saturday.
Baseball splits two series on road to open season
The Advocate
The Saints baseball team, riding on high expectations for the coming season, finished its first weekend 2-2 after the Saints split two series against the Columbia Basin Hawks Saturday and the Blue Mountain Timberwolves Sunday.
Both series were on the road, in Pasco, Wash. and Pendelton, Ore.
“I was proud that on both days we were able to play better in the second game,” said Head Coach Bryan Donohue. “Columbia Basin had an opportunity to tie it in the last inning and we were able to get a road win against a quality team.”
Taylor Ard, the All-American first basemen, is still recovering from a left wrist injury that affects his swing and ability to play at a high level. Ard is expected to rejoin the team as soon as Saturday in a doubleheader against the Bellvue Bulldogs in the team’s home opener at 2 p.m.
When asked about the injury, Ard said things are looking up. Although the wrist is still bothering him, he said this is a perfect time to get back in the grove.
“It’s feeling good,” said Ard. “By the time game time comes around it will be fine. Once the adrenaline gets going, I should be fine.”
The Bulldogs are the defending NWAACC champions and that gave Ard enough motivation to rise to the occasion.
“For me, I am glad I can come back and play against the defending champions,” he said. “This game will let us know where we stand.”
In both series, the Saints dropped their first games and then were able to beat their opponents in the second games.
On Saturday, the team lost 11-5 and then came back and won game two 3-2. Sophomore lefty Michael Blake (0-1) took the loss in the opener. Freshmen Nic Fowler (1-0) and Michael Seifert helped defeat the Hawks in game two. Fowler struck out four and picked up the team’s first win of the year. Seifert came in and picked up the first save of the season out of the bullpen.
On Sunday, the team lost 9-4 and the pitching gave up 13 hits. Freshman Nathan Boone (0-1) was the losing pitcher. The Timberwolves second baseman, Scott Fraizer, went 4 for 5 at the plate to lead all offensive categories for the game. In game two, the Saints came back and won easy 11-0 and were led on the hill by freshman lefty Jon Yearout (1-0), who ended the game with five strikeouts.
During the two doubleheaders, Ard said the team didn’t play to its potential but believes this young group will be fine down the stretch.
“In my opinion, I don’t think it was the best,” said Ard on the first four games of the season. “But it let us know where our weaknesses are and what we need to do better. Once we got that first game out of the way, we started to settle down.”
On Saturday, the Saints will host the 5-3 Bulldogs at Oslund Field in Gresham starting at 2 p.m. Starting game one of the doubleheader is Nick Fowler, followed by Jon Yearout in the second game.
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