Even though I’m into my 7th season covering NWAC baseball, Thursday was the first time I’ve caught a game at an East Region schools field. It was fun to see a new field and I will be writing an article up about that but this is my review of Yakima Valley CC and Big Bend CC.
Big Bend CC
I haven’t gotten the chance to cover the Vikings much in the past so I was excited to see how their team looked. The first game of the double header on paper appears to be a blowout but having been there I can honestly say it was not.
Two calls, that I believe were incorrect, resulted in some big momentum swings that could have caused the outcome of the game to be different. Regardless of that there were some things I noticed about the team.
Being early in the season pitchers weren’t staying on the mound as long as they might come the 2nd month of the season but it was clear that the staff has the ability to compete and keep their team in games. With a solid defense on the field as well, the success for the Vikings really is going to fall on the offense
The offense seemed scrappy but was lacking the big hits needed to beat the solid competition of the East Region in big games. However, that isn’t to say that the offense can’t come around. There are some talented hitters on the team and if they can get things going they will challenge the East the rest of the season.
Overall I have no doubt that Big Bend is a team that can beat any East team, it just comes down to getting the big hits at the right time for them.
Yakima Valley CC
The Yaks are a talkative team, and that constant chatter keeps players from losing focus or getting down too far when they are losing or after an error. I believe that this actually can help them limit compounding mistakes and beating themselves.
The Yaks are also very opportunistic and that is a great trait to have in a team. The second that they feel the momentum going their way they push into it with everything they have and that is a key reason why a tight game ended up becoming a blowout in game 1.
Their pitching staff isn’t a dominant staff. In fact I would say they have had stronger pitching staffs in past years that I’ve covered them. However, like Big Bend’s staff, the Yaks pitching staff will keep their team in it, allowing their opportunistic offense the time and chances to put together big innings.
Offensively the Yaks are pretty balanced throughout all 9 spots in the lineup. There is some pop in the lineup and some speed. There isn’t a part of the order that pitchers are going to get a break, as the Yaks can produce runs 1-9.
If you want to see all the game photos from both ends of the double header you can click on the links below
Yakima Valley CC vs Big Bend CC Game 1 Photos
Yakima Valley CC vs Big Bend CC Game 2 Photos