PENDLETON — Defending 4A state champion Pendleton took the field with an unproven lineup in its season opener against Kamiakin, and the Braves took advantage to the tune of a 12-2 five-inning victory Monday at Bob White Field.
“Very quality opponent we played for our first game,” Pendleton coach Justin Speer said. “I was proud of our boys and their ability to compete. Colin (Harrington) started off with not his best stuff, but really gathered himself and found a way to compete and give us a competitive chance to stay in the game.”
Kamiakin, which lost in the Washington 4A state quarterfinals last year, held a 3-1 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning, where the Braves did nine runs’ worth of damage.
Harrington walked the first batter, then Taron Carlson flew out to Kreg Krol at first base.
A single by Zach Vega brought in a run, and a single by Christian Bower sent two more runs across the plate for a 6-1 lead.
Joe Foster replaced Harrington on the mound, and the Braves added another run on a passed ball, and a Stener Kvinsland single put a run across the plate.
Dominic Lilyblade drove in another run, then was caught trying to stretch his single into a double.
Tanner Davis drew a walk to put two men on base, then Carlson came back through the order and hit a three-run home run to left field to put Kamiakin out front 12-1.
The Bucks put a run on the board in the bottom of the fifth as Harrington scored on a Nathan Driskell single.
Pendleton looked to put runs on the board in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with two outs. Krol struck out to end the threat.
In the second, the Bucks had runners on first and third with two outs, but Eli Smidt got caught trying to steal second base.
Smidt and Grayson English each went 1-for-2 for the Bucks, while Harrington and Driskell were 1-for-3.
“Eli Smidt and Grayson English supplied big hits to get us some momentum,” Speer said. “We got a little sloppy at the end and they are a tough lineup to get through. It was good for us to see high competition and see how we responded. I’m confident we will bounce back better tomorrow at Walla Walla.”
Davis, who is committed to Washington State University, earned the win for Kamiakin, giving up one run, one hit and striking out five over three innings.
Vega, who is Gonzaga University-bound, went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Braves.
