PRICE, Utah — Homers haven’t been the primary source of Western Nevada College victories in 2016, but that changed on the team’s current road trip.
Abe Yagi smacked a game-tying, two-run homer and D.J. Peters slammed a tie-breaking, two-run shot as the Wildcats rallied for a 12-5 Scenic West Athletic Conference baseball victory over Utah State University Eastern on Friday. Tim Lichty homered in Game 2, but the Golden Eagles rallied for an 8-5 victory.
“Give them credit; they didn’t quit and their coach did a good job saving some of their best pitchers for the final game,” said WNC coach D.J. Whittemore. “They held us to five runs in very offensive conditions with the wind blowing straight out and the infield and outfield playing really fast.”
In the first game, Yagi also delivered a run-scoring double in the sixth inning and an RBI single in the seventh to give left-hander Chase Kaplan insurance as he won his seventh game in seven decisions.
Peters and Yagi collected three hits apiece and combined for six RBI to pace the Wildcats’ 12-hit attack. Yagi’s homer was his first as a collegian. Daniel Nist contributed two hits, including a double.
Casey Cornwell’s groundout to short scored Yagi with the Wildcats’ eighth run. The Wildcats added four runs in the seventh before an out was recorded. Pinch-hitters Eric Flores and Chad Bell supplied two-run and RBI singles, respectively, while Yagi drove in his fourth run of the game with a base hit to left field.
Kaplan worked five innings, surrendering four hits and three earned runs. He struck out three, walked one and picked off two runners at first base.
Peters and Tim Lichty produced a quick 3-0 start for the Wildcats in the series finale. Peters’ sacrifice fly scored Modler and Lichty followed with a two-run homer to right field for his fourth homer of the series.
Manny Begay’s solo homer in the second cut WNC’s lead to 3-1. The rally didn’t end there as Lundell and Trevor Clingman provided two-out RBI singles to tie the score at 3.
Sophomore right-hander Ty Fox relieved Jordan Ragan after the Golden Eagles loaded the bases to begin the fourth inning. Fox gave up a sacrifice fly to Lundell, putting Eastern Utah on top 4-3.
Modler led off the fifth with a triple and scored on Bell’s groundout. Flores put WNC ahead, 5-4, with a two-out single to center.
The lead didn’t last as the Golden Eagles packaged three hits, three wild pitches and an error to go back in front, 7-5, in the sixth.
VARSITY BASEBALL
Mucker blank Falcons
VIRGINIA CITY — The reigning Division IV state champion Virginia City Muckers soundly defeated the Sierra Lutheran Falcons, 10-0, at Miner’s Park.
Tanner Uken delivered a stellar no-hit performance on the mound, striking out nine Falcon batters and allowing no walks.
Uken had four of VC’s 11 hits. Second baseman Christian Talbot went 2-for-4 with two singles while centerfielder Ireland Franklin also hit 2-for-4 with two doubles.
JC SOFTBALL
Wildcats, Snow split
EPHRAIM, Utah — The extended pitching of Kristina George, and home runs by Triniece Lesky and Dakota Robinson propelled Western Nevada College to a doubleheader softball split against Snow College on Friday.
Kimbri Herring blanked the Wildcats on three hits in the opening game as the Badgers won, 6-0, but George hurled a complete game after throwing 3 1/3 innings in the opener as WNC bounced back for a 5-2 victory.
It was WNC’s first road win in 10 Scenic West Athletic Conference games, and the doubleheader split leaves the fourth-place Wildcats with a 5-9 conference record. Third-place Snow is 7-7 in SWAC play.
“They are a tough team, so it was great to get a split,” WNC coach Leah Wentworth said. “The confidence that they got after last weekend’s (sweep of Colorado Northwestern) spilled over to today and it’s nice to see that they are finding ways to secure games where we have a lead.”
Lesky’s second homer of the season in the second inning of Game 2 provided the Wildcats’ first run of the day. Robinson’s two-run homer in the fifth gave the Wildcats a three-run edge. It was her third long ball of the season.
WNC fell behind 2-0 in Game 2 as Shaylee Larsen tripled in two runs in the first inning.
However, the Wildcats came back to tie the score at 2 by pushing a run across the plate in the second and third innings. Lesky homered with two outs in the second, then Kacie Freudenberger knocked in Mecham from first base with a double to center to get the Wildcats even.
The Wildcats pulled ahead, 3-2, in the fourth inning when Mecham’s groundout to the pitcher allowed Lesky to come home from third base.
VARSITY SOFTBALL
Carson splits at Reed tourney
SPARKS — The Senators split four games on the first day of the Reed Easter Tournament at Shadow Mountain Park.
Carson was no-hit by Freedom’s Vanessa Strong, 10-0, in its opening game, but then bounced back for a 5-4 win over Galena in the second game. Carson managed just one hit in a 10-0 loss to Alhambra-Martinez and then bounced back to beat Crater-Oregon, 10-4.
Elise Brady went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs against Galena, Tezia Boice and Camiell Simpson drove in the other two runs.
Against Crater, Gabbi Winder went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs, while Kassidy Cooley went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs.
Lauren Lemburg drove in two runs against Crater.
Lemburg got the only CHS hit against Alhambra.
TRACK
Carson teams finish second
Carson High placed second in both the boys and girls divisions at the CHS Frosh-Soph Invitational Friday at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.
Dylan Mayo won two events (high jump and triple jump), placed fourth in the long jump and placed second in the 100. Blaise Bonomo was second in the shot put (43-9) and discus (102-10). Brandon Copeland won the 300 hurdles (45.19) and Gabe Gabica was second in the pole vault (10-6).
Abigail Pradere ran 2:19.41 to win the 800, while Erica Basa won the triple jump (31-5 1/2).
Ashley Britt (100 hurdles), Dajarrah Navarro (high jump), Makenzie McDaniel (shot put) and Brianna Dean (discus) all were second.