Brayden Buck Hits First Home Run in Tacoma's Narrow Defeat

TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma fell to Pierce with a final score of 7–5 on Thursday at home in Game 1 of the 4 game series. Tacoma's offense produced two home runs, including Brayden Buck's first of the season, but it was not enough to overcome Pierce's early lead.

Tacoma and Pierce each scored three runs in a busy first inning. Ethan Mar homered, driving in one run, followed by Vaughn Lowe's single. Brayden Buck hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, bringing Tacoma to a 3–3 tie with Pierce.

In the second inning, Pierce pulled ahead with a run-scoring single by Kai Halstead, giving it a 4–3 lead. Tacoma was unable to respond in its half of the inning, keeping the score 4–3 in favor of Pierce.

Pierce added two more runs in the third inning through a combination of a walk and a hit by pitch, increasing its lead to 6–3. Tacoma remained scoreless in the bottom half, maintaining Pierce's advantage.

Tacoma cut into the lead in the fourth inning. Kaden Cretti singled and later scored on Mar's RBI single, narrowing the gap to 6–4.

In the seventh inning, both teams scored. Pierce added a run through an RBI single by Izaiah Koko, but Tacoma answered back when Carson Ackermann doubled and scored on a fielding error by Pierce. The score stood at 7–5 in favor of Pierce.

Neither team scored in the final two innings, and Pierce secured the win with a final score of 7–5.

Jake Rafferty started the game for the TCC, pitching 2 1/3 innings while allowing six earned runs on seven hits. He struck out three batters but struggled with control, issuing two walks and hitting four batters with pitches. Juan Hernandez-Mendoza relieved Rafferty, delivering a more stable performance over 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits and striking out two. Atticus Manning closed the game with a strong two-inning performance, allowing no runs and striking out three, maintaining a WHIP of 0.50 with only one hit allowed.

Tacoma Top Performers
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Ethan Mar
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- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run

Brayden Buck
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- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run

Carson Ackermann
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- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 run scored

Juan Hernandez-Mendoza
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- 4 2/3 innings pitched
- 2 hits allowed
- 1 earned run
- 0.95 WHIP

Go Titans!