Titans Split Series with Bellevue

TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma Community College faced Bellevue in a series of tightly contested games, concluding with 2-2 mixed results over the weekend.

**Game 1:** Tacoma fell to Bellevue in a 4-3 defeat on Saturday, despite outhitting the visitors 8 to 4. Tacoma's three runs were highlighted by a two-run sixth inning, but Bellevue's four-run fifth inning proved decisive. Tacoma took an early lead in the first inning when Kaden Cretti was hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on Braden Jones's ground out to second, putting Tacoma up 1-0. Bellevue responded in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, starting with E. Oster reaching base on a walk. Errors and a single by B. Reese allowed T. Holden and J. Hall to score, with L. Morales adding a single that brought B. Reese home, giving Bellevue a 4-1 lead after the fifth. Tacoma closed the gap in the sixth with a two-out rally, as Jones singled and advanced to third on a single by Ethan Mar. Vaughn Lowe's single brought Jones home, followed by Clayton Crooks's single, allowing Mar to score, cutting Bellevue's lead to 4-3. Bellevue held Tacoma scoreless in the remaining innings, securing a 4-3 victory.

**Tacoma Top Performers - Game 1:**

Kaden Cretti ----------------------
- 1 run
- 1 stolen base
- 5 assists

Braden Jones ----------------------
- 1 run
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI

Vaughn Lowe ----------------------
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI

Jake Rafferty ----------------------
- 5 innings pitched
- 4 strikeouts
- 2 hits allowed

**Game 2:** Tacoma edged Bellevue in a tight 2-1 victory on Saturday, securing the win with a decisive two-run sixth inning. Tacoma managed just two hits but capitalized on Bellevue's three errors. Bellevue took the lead in the sixth when T. Holden scored on a single by C. Kennelly, making it 1-0. However, TCC responded in the bottom half. Kaden Cretti walked and scored on a passed ball, tying the game. Braden Jones followed with a single, and after stealing second, scored on an RBI double from Ethan Mar. Tacoma led 2-1 after six innings. Tacoma's defense held strong in the seventh with Reece Boekenoogen pitching, allowing one hit and striking out two, sealing TCC's 2-1 win.

**Tacoma Top Performers - Game 2:**

Braden Jones ----------------------
- 1 hit
- 1 run
- 1 stolen base

Ethan Mar ----------------------
- 1 hit
- 1 double
- 1 RBI

Butch Kiblen ----------------------
- 6 1/3 innings pitched
- 1 earned run
- 2 strikeouts

**Game 3:** On Sunday, Tacoma narrowly fell to Bellevue with a final score of 5-4. TCC's Ethan Mar contributed with two RBIs, but Bellevue clinched the win with a run in the ninth inning. Tacoma opened the scoring in the first inning when Kaden Cretti reached base with a single, advanced to third, and scored on a wild pitch. Bellevue responded with three runs in the bottom half, aided by two errors and an RBI single by O. Young, making it 3-1. Tacoma drew even in the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Braden Jones and a bases-loaded walk to Vaughn Lowe, tying the game at 3-3. Tacoma briefly took the lead in the seventh, but Bellevue responded with an unearned run to level the score at 4-4 heading into the eighth. In the ninth, Bellevue secured the win with a run brought in by T. Wood.

**Tacoma Top Performers - Game 3:**

Kaden Cretti ----------------------
- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 5 assists

Braden Jones ----------------------
- 1 run
- 1 RBI
- 2 hit by pitches

Vaughn Lowe ----------------------
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
- 1 walk

Oscar Hyde ----------------------
- 6 innings pitched
- 4 strikeouts
- 1 earned run

Nate Jetton ----------------------
- 1 double
- 1 run
- 1 walk

**Game 4:** Tacoma secured a 3-1 victory over Bellevue on Sunday evening, marking the fourth and final game of the series. Bellevue took the lead in the bottom of the third when T. Holden tripled and scored on a single by Z. Hudson. Tacoma responded in the fifth when Tyson Rather walked, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch, tying the game. In the seventh, TCC broke the tie as Kaden Cretti was hit by a pitch, advanced on a single by Braden Jones, and scored along with Brayden Buck, who pinch ran for Jones, giving Tacoma a 3-1 lead. Austin Nelson pitched 5 innings with 8 hits and 1 earned run, while Connor Speer closed the game with 4 innings of relief, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk.

**Tacoma Top Performers - Game 4:**

Nate Jetton ----------------------
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
- 1 hit
- 1 walk

Ethan Mar ----------------------
- 2 hits
- 1 triple
- OPS of 1.200

Tyson Rather ----------------------
- 1 run
- 3 walks
- 1 stolen base

Austin Nelson ----------------------
- 5 innings pitched
- 2 strikeouts
- 1 earned run
- WHIP of 1.60

TCC holds a record of 4-2, while Bellevue has a record of 3-8.

Go Titans!