Warrior Baseball Opening Weekend Impacted by Rainy Weather

Walla Walla, WA - Baseball season is officially under way for the Walla Walla Community College Baseball team as they opened their season this past weekend with a non-conference series against Blue Mountain Community College. The Warriors narrowly fell to the Timberwolves, 4-3, in the first game of the series, before the rain ultimately overcame both teams, resulting in a cancelation of Saturday's game two and both games of the doubleheader set to be played in Pendleton, OR on Sunday.

On Opening Day on Saturday, it was the Warriors that jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the first after Aaron Kaufman worked his way on base with a leadoff walk, stole two bases, and then eventually scored on a Mason Bailey sacrifice fly. The score would remain 1-0 as Andrew Nielsen, the Warriors' starting pitcher, turned in a great performance in his first game in black and gold, pitching 6 total innings while only surrendering 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6. The only 2 runs given up by Nielsen were scored by the Timberwolves in the 6th inning as they were able to battle back to claim a 2-1 lead. BMCC would extend their lead to 4-1, but in the bottom of the eighth, RBI singles from both Brian Alcazar and Cade Hill put WWCC right back into the game. In the bottom of the ninth, the Warriors were able to get the tying run into scoring position, but a diving play in right field with two outs by the Timberwolves would prevent that run from scoring, handing Walla Walla a 4-3 loss in the season-opener.

Cade Hill would be the lone Warrior to turn in a multi-hit performance despite 6 of WWCC's hitters registering a hit in the game. Andrew Nielsen and Evan Perry combined to only give up 5 total hits while striking out 8 on the mound for Walla Walla.

What's next?

The Warriors' non-conference slate continues this upcoming Saturday and Sunday with a trip to Tacoma, WA to take on Tacoma Community College.