Raiders Split with SW Oregon in Doubleheader

The Pierce College Raiders battled through a hard-fought doubleheader against the SW Oregon Lakers, taking game one 6-4 before falling just short in game two, 5-4.

In game one, the Raiders struck early, plating two runs in the bottom of the first. The Lakers responded with runs in the third, fourth, and fifth to take a 3-2 lead. Jonah Richardson started on the mound for Pierce, throwing 4.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, and one walk. Cooper Weygandt came in clutch in relief, tossing 4.1 innings with 9 strikeouts, while giving up just 2 hits and 1 run to earn the win.

With the game tied 3-3 in the sixth after an RBI single by Yacel Limonta, Jackson Copeland delivered a huge bases-clearing single to drive in three runs, giving the Raiders a 6-3 lead. The Lakers added one more in the seventh, but Pierce held on for the win. Cameron Hale led the offense with two hits, including a double, a run scored, and 2 RBIs.

Game two saw the Raiders jump out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, but the offense was silenced the rest of the way. Jackson Copeland had a strong game at the plate with 2 hits, 2 RBIs, a walk, and a sac fly. Tristan Ringrose, Bradley Carl, Bo Stinson, and Xavier Yearby each crossed the plate for a run, while Carl and Yearby had two hits apiece.

Lucas Hale started on the mound, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing 3 runs. Freddy Frias-Moreno took over in relief, going 3.1 innings and giving up one run while striking out three. Hunter Eisele was solid in the final 2.2 innings, giving up just one hit and striking out one, but the early damage was enough for the Lakers to edge out the win.