Linn-Benton baseball’s undefeated streak in the 2024 NWAC Championship Tournament finally came to an end on May 25, with the Beaks dropping their Saturday night matchup against Tacoma 10-5 in Longview.
The Beaks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, scoring off of a sacrifice fly and two wild pitches at David Story Field. However, Tacoma soon responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the advantage, adding another in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead.
A Jordan Hockett double scored Aidan Dougherty in the top of the seventh to bring the Beaks within one score, but Tacoma responded in the next inning by unleashing five runs, increasing their lead to six.
It was a rough night for the Beaks’ pitching unit against Tacoma’s explosive batting lineup, which had scored 11 runs on Edmonds the day prior. Camden Stephens started with three strong innings but faltered in the fourth. In total, he struck out three batters but allowed eight hits and four runs. Logan Miller filled in the next three and one third innings, earning four strikeouts but adding five hits and six runs. Simon Mathios pitched the remaining two-thirds, allowing no hits and earning one strikeout.
Dougherty hit a solo home run in the pivotal ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough for the Beaks to overcome the deficit, falling by five to the Titans.
Tacoma earns an automatic berth in Monday’s championship game after defeating the winner’s bracket. However, Linn-Benton has a chance to earn a rematch as the Beaks are still one loss away from elimination. After Saturday’s results, LB dropped to the second bracket but will play again at 12:05 p.m. Sunday against the NWAC East’s top seed, the Spokane Sasquatch (30-18). A loss means elimination. But a win means Linn-Benton can still advance to Monday.
