TCC's Strong Sixth Inning Not Enough Against Bellevue in Game 1

TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma fell to Bellevue in a 4-3 defeat on Saturday during Game 1, despite outhitting the visitors 8 to 4. Tacoma's three runs in the game 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. Kaden Cretti was hit by a pitch and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out and then scored on Braden Jones's ground out to second, putting Tacoma up 1-0.

Bellevue responded in the fifth inning, scoring four runs. The inning began with E. Oster reaching base on a walk and later scoring due to a series of errors and a single by B. Reese. TCC's fielding miscues allowed T. Holden and J. Hall to cross the plate, with L. Morales adding a single that brought B. Reese home. Bellevue led 4-1 after the fifth.

Tacoma closed the gap in the sixth inning with a two-out rally. Jones singled and advanced to third on a single by Ethan Mar. Vaughn Lowe's single brought Jones home, and Clayton Crooks followed with another single, allowing Mar to score. This cut Bellevue's lead to 4-3 through six innings.

Bellevue held Tacoma scoreless in the remaining innings, securing a 4-3 victory. The final score was Bellevue 4, TCC 3.

Jake Rafferty pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 2 hits while striking out 4 and walking 5 batters during the game. Rafferty threw a total of 85 pitches, with 50 of them being strikes, and maintained a WHIP of 1.40. Devin Tep followed with 4 innings of scoreless relief, conceding 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 batters. Tep's performance was highlighted by inducing 6 flyouts and finishing with a WHIP of 1.25 over his 59 pitches, 37 of which were strikes.

Tacoma Top Performers

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

Go Titans!