Chukars advance to first-ever NWAACC tournament with win over Wenatchee
Monday, May 18, 2009 12:21 AM PDT
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| Argus Observer file photo
TVCC’s Nick Birch delivers a pitch in the Argus Observer file photo. Birch led the Chukars to a 7-0 win against Wenatchee which vaulted TVCC to the NWAACC tournament. |
Argus Observer sports staff
Tri-Cities, Wash.-The Treasure Valley Community College Chukar baseball team is in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges baseball World Series tournament for the first time since joining the NWAACC.
TVCC competed in the East Region tournament this past week end and did what it had to do to keep its season alive.
TVCC ended its season winners of five of its final six games, which qualified them as the No. 3 seed going into the tournament, where they would face the No. 2 seed Wenatchee, a team it swept in the regular season finale.
The Chukars had Wenatchee’s number and defeated them again to open the tournament by a 2-1 score. Darin Johnson picked up the win for TVCC in eight innings of work.
In the second game of the tournament the Chukars hit the diamond against the top team from the east in Columbia Basin and played them to a one run final, but lost 4-3.
Chris Needham picked up the loss from the mound.
TVCC led 3-2 in the fifth inning, but gave up a run in the bottom of the seventh and the ninth.
Next up was Wenatchee, again.
But in this game, the loser goes home, so the Chukars took nothing for chance and shutout them out 7-0, in a 10 hit performance.
Nick Birch went the distance for the Chukars allowing only two hits.
The win guaranteed the Chukars a spot in the NWAACC dance this coming week.
In the final game of the East Region tournament, the Chukars met up with Columbia Basin one more time, and just like the first meeting, TVCC gave Columbia Basin all they wanted.
TVCC dropped the game 4-3 and placed second in the regional tournament.
Brock Jessup got the loss for TVCC in five inning of work.
CJ wrote on May 20, 2009 11:13 PM: