Tacoma Splits 2-2 With Centralia in First West Region Series
**TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL RECAP**
Tacoma, Wash. — Tacoma Community College faced Centralia College in a series of games, concluding with an overall split. TCC fell to Centralia 8–3 in Game 1 and 5–3 in Game 2 at Centralia, but bounced back at home with a dominant 6–0 victory in Game 3, followed by a 5–2 win in Game 4.
**Game 1:**
Tacoma's offense was highlighted by a triple and two doubles, but it could not overcome Centralia's consistent scoring throughout the game. Centralia took an early lead in the second inning when Brandt Kneisler stole home, putting them up 1–0. By the end of the fourth inning, Centralia had extended its lead to 4–0. Tacoma finally got on the board in the sixth inning, but Centralia maintained control, ending the game with a final score of 8–3.
*Tacoma Pitching:*
- Jake Rafferty pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 2 hits.
- Connor Speer followed with 3 2/3 innings, giving up 4 earned runs and achieving 4 strikeouts.
- Reece Boekenoogen contributed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
*Tacoma Top Performers:*
- **Ethan Mar**: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 double
- **Ty Iddon**: 2 runs, 1 triple, 1 stolen base
- **Connor Speer**: 4 strikeouts, 3 2/3 innings pitched, WHIP: 1.25
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**Game 2:**
In a closely contested match, Tacoma fell again to Centralia, this time with a score of 5–3. TCC took an early lead when Nate Jetton scored from third on a single by Kaden Cretti. The game was tied 2–2 after the fourth inning, but Centralia pulled ahead with a two-run sixth inning. Tacoma attempted a comeback in the ninth inning, but the rally fell short.
*Tacoma Pitching:*
- Butch Kiblen pitched 4 innings with 4 strikeouts, allowing 2 earned runs.
- Atticus Manning pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs and striking out 3 batters.
- Juan Hernandez-Mendoza closed the game with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless pitching.
*Tacoma Top Performers:*
- **Vaughn Lowe**: 1 double, 4 assists in fielding
- **Carson Ackermann**: 2 RBIs, 1 hit
- **Butch Kiblen**: 4 strikeouts, 4 innings pitched
- **Juan Hernandez-Mendoza**: 1 strikeout, 1 1/3 innings pitched
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**Game 3:**
On Saturday, Tacoma secured a decisive 6–0 victory over Centralia, highlighted by Oscar Hyde's complete-game shutout. TCC jumped to an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning and extending it to 3–0 by the third inning with a solo home run from Ethan Mar. TCC continued to build momentum, adding three more runs throughout the game to secure the win.
*Tacoma Pitching:*
- Oscar Hyde pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only five hits and striking out nine.
*Tacoma Top Performers:*
- **Ethan Mar**: 3 runs, 1 home run, 1 stolen base
- **Carson Ackermann**: 3 RBIs, 1 sacrifice fly, 2 walks
- **Nate Kimmel**: 1 home run, 2 hits, 1 RBI
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**Game 4:**
In the final game of the series, Tacoma secured a 5–2 victory over Centralia, supported by a strong pitching performance from Devin Tep, who recorded 10 strikeouts. TCC built an early lead with a series of hits, including Brayden Buck's season-high 3 hits. Tacoma maintained control throughout the game, scoring consistently and concluding with a 5–2 victory.
*Tacoma Pitching:*
- Devin Tep pitched 6 innings, allowing 1 earned run and achieving a season-high 10 strikeouts.
*Tacoma Top Performers:*
- **Carson Ackermann**: 3 hits, 1 RBI, 1 double
- **Brayden Buck**: 3 hits, 1 RBI, 1 double
- **Nate Jetton**: 1 run, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 walk
Go Titans!