ONTARIO — The Walla Walla Community College baseball team dropped two of its three games in the NWAACC tournament as the Warriors were eliminated here Saturday.
On Friday, the Warriors split their two games — winning 3-1 over Yakima Valley Community College and losing to host Treasure Valley, 10-2.
Warrior coach Dave Meliah praised game one starter Jesse Houser, who scattered five hits and gave up just one run while striking out eight.
“Jesse (Houser) threw, quite possibly, the best game of his two years at WWCC all on a badly sprained ankle,” Meliah said. “He showed true heart and determination.”
Walla Walla’s Moe Handcox Jr. homered in the game and Seth Wolfe went 3-for-4 and scored a run with three singles.
“Moe and Seth both had clutch hits against a very good pitcher to get us the lead and the win,” Meliah said.
The last two games of WWCC’s season (27-14 overall) weren’t as kind.
In addition to losing to Treasure Valley, the Warriors lost to Columbia Basin College, 18-7, while committing seven errors and giving up four home runs.
The Warriors’ offense plated seven runs on 12 hits against CBC.
WWCC pulled out all the stops — throwing four pitchers to try hold the score down. Unfortunately, Columbia Basin kept adding onto its lead before ultimately prevailing, 18-7.
“Unfortunately, we came up one game short,” Meliah said. “But I am so proud of these guys for fighting the whole way and never giving up. This was a very special group of guys, not only on the field but especially away from it. They were a pleasure and joy for us to coach all year long.”
