Lady Chukars splits home series
Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:05 PM PDT
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| Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer
Treasure Valley Community College’s Kate Smith (10) attempts a stolen base during the Lady Chukars doubleheader sweep over Spokane on Friday. Saturday, the Lady Chukars dropped two games to Walla Walla. Smith was safe on the play. |
Argus Observer sports staff
Ontario-The Treasure Valley Community College softball team could not afford to lose any games this weekend, as they hosted Columbia Basin and Walla Walla, if they wanted to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Friday, the Lady Chukars were still in the hunt with a sweep over Columbia Basin with wins of 7-1 and 10-2.
Saturday, the playoff picture became non-existent, as TVCC was swept by the team they are chasing for the final playoff spot, Walla Walla.
In the opening game Saturday, the Lady Chukars lost 10-1, then dropped the nightcap, 1-0.
Currently the Chukars are in fifth place in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges East Region with an 8-14 record, while Walla Walla is in fourth place with a 15-7 record.
With only six league games remaining, the Lady Chukars cannot catch Walla Walla.
In the first game against Walla Walla, the Chukars ran into some tough pitching in Walla Walla’s Makenzie Marchbanks, who allowed only two Chukar hits, while striking out 10 TVCC batters in the win.
“She (Marchbanks) was tough today,” Quesnell said.
Taking the loss for the Lady Chukars was Julie Haralson, who gave up six runs through five innings of work while striking out one and walking one.
In the nightcap, the Lady Chukars battled Walla Walla to a much tighter game, a 1-0 loss.
Valerie Yingling was the pitcher of record for the Chukars, as she worked all seven innings giving up eight hits, striking out three and walking one.
Marchbanks toed the rubber again for Walla Walla, and again, was dominating, as she only allowed three hits in the complete game shutout.
In Friday’s games, TVCC swept Columbia Basin, winning Game 1 10-2 and Game 2, 7-1 Yingling picked up both wins from the rubber and has a season record of 10-12.
TVCC will play on the road next weekend with dates at Spokane and Big Bend in doubleheader action.
