Box Score

PORTLAND – A passed ball and a critical ninth inning error turned an otherwise close game Concordia's way Sunday as the Cavaliers beat the Boxers 5-4 in the last game of the Northwest-Cascade Challenge at Hilken Community Stadium.
 
The host Cavaliers (6-4) got their winning rally going with one out when Mike Dickman doubled down the left field line off Pacific reliever Kyle Treadway (Fr., Medford, Ore.).  Dickman advanced to third on a passed ball while pinch-hitter Calvin Nagy walked.
 
The Boxers opted to intentionally walk Jordan Keeker to set up the force out at any base.  Sean Myrom hit a playable to right field, which was likely deep enough to score Dickman on a sacrifice fly.  Nick Tasaka (Jr., Hawaii Kai, Hawaii) misplayed the ball, and the resulting error allowed Dickman home for the winning run.
 
The run broke open an otherwise tight game between the two teams to conclude the three-day, four-team tournament between Northwest Conference and Cascade Collegiate Conference schools.
 
Concordia opened scoring with three runs in the second and a pair of triples.  Mike Cero knocked the first triple to right center field with one out and scored on a passed ball.  Ryan Rodriguez singled and later scored on a triple by Blake Drake, and Drake scored on a ground out.
 
Pacific (3-7) took all three runs back in the fourth inning.  Greg Tellez (Sr., White Salmon, Wash.) opened the frame with a single and scored on a one-out by Jared Van Hoon (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore.).  After Van Hoon scored on a sacrifice fly by Donnie Bradley (Fr., Beaverton, Ore.), Nate Rasmussen (Sr., Sandy, Utah) doubled down the left field line to keep the inning alive. 
 
Michael Arakaki (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii) followed with a single and an error on the throw by the Concordia right fielder Drake allowed Rasmussen to score.
 
Both teams traded runs in the fifth inning.  Pacific loaded the bases with no outs and Tasaka scored on a fielder's choice by Bradley.  Dickman tied it in the home half when he walked and scored on a single by Keeker.
 
Treadway dropped to 0-2 with the hard-luck loss for the Boxers.  He allowed the one unearned run on one hit with two walks and a strikeout in 1.1 innings of work.  Pacific starter Jason Sawyer (So., Scappoose, Ore.) went seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.  Concordia reliever Jared Young earned the win, allowing just three hits in three innings of work.
 
Tasaka, Mike Nagamine (Sr., Aiea, Hawaii) and Van Hoon each went 2 for 5 to lead Pacific offensively, while Bradley finished with two runs batted in.  Cero went 3 for 4 to lead Concordia.
 
This was the first of four scheduled meetings between Pacific and Concordia this season.  The first game of an anticipated doubleheader today was cancelled due to rain on Friday that backed up the entire tournament.   Concordia will visit Pacific on Mar, 20 and the Boxers return to Hilken Community Stadium on Mar. 27.
 
Pacific now turns its attention to Northwest Conference play.  They come home to Chuck Bafaro Stadium for the first time this season this weekend as they host Linfield.  The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. and a single game on Sunday beginning at noon.