Chukar nine embark on new adventure
Treasure Valley Community College baseball team makes first-ever trip to NWAACC Baseball Championship tournament

By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Thursday, May 21, 2009 10:16 AM PDT

Argus Observer file photo Treasure Valley Community College head baseball coach Rick Baumann talks with his pitcher and catcher in this Argus Observer file photo from a game earlier this season. The Chukars will play in their first-ever NWAACC Baseball Championship tournament game today at 5:30 p.m. MDT in Longview, Wash., at Story Field.

Ontario—What a turnaround the Treasure Valley Community College baseball team has made. Just a few weeks ago, they looked to be going nowhere fast, and, now, they are set to compete in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Baseball Championship tournament for the first time since joining the NWAACC.

The tournament begins today in Longview, Wash., at Story Field, and the Chukars (26-25) drew the No. 1-ranked Mount Hood Saints (33-6), champions of the South Region, at 5:30 p.m. MDT.

“They (Mount Hood) have solid pitching, and they have a lot of left hand bats in the lineup,” TVCC head coach Rick Baumann said. 

It may seem like a tough draw for the Chukars, but TVCC has been on a roll as of late. Winning five of their final six regular season games and going  2-2 in the East Regional tournament has Baumann excited about the possibilities for his team.

During this recent surge of wins, the Chukars defeated the No. 2 East Region team, Wenatchee,  four times and the two losses at the East Regional tournament were to the then No. 1 NWAACC team, Columbia Basin, and TVCC lost both those games by one run each.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The team has looked good this week in practice,” Baumann said.  “We are healthy, and we might get John Rohde back in the lineup.”

Rohde was recently selected to the East Region first team as a designated hitter. Rohde is currently hitting .398 on the season, and the Chukars will be happy to see him swing the bat again.

“Having Rohde back will certainly help our offense,” Baumann said.

Getting a boost on offense is the concern for Baumann going into the tournament. He said the Chukars have struggled recently in close games to get those key hits that would give them a late lead, like in the games against Columbia Basin in the East Regional tournament.

“Our guys are confident in their ability and what we can do,” Baumann said. “If we can pitch like we have been pitching, play defense like we can and get some offense, then I think we will be OK in this first game.”

The Chukars will send freshman Darin Johnson to the mound against Mount Hood. Johnson will give the Saints a good dose of high 80s fastballs from the left side.

“He (Johnson) is a real bulldog,” Baumann said. “He wants the ball every game, and, every time he has gone out, he has given us a quality start.”

Today’s game will be broadcast by KSRV 1380 AM  at 5:35 p.m. MDT.

East Region honors

First team

John Rohde    DH

Second team

Mike Tevlin    Catcher

Josh Kalalau    Infield

Matt Comer    Outfield