Tight Game Ends in 5–3 Defeat for TCC

TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma Community College fell to Lower Columbia College with a final score of 5–3 on Saturday in Game 4 of the series. TCC managed three runs in the second inning, but LCC's late-game scoring secured the victory.

Tacoma took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning. Vaughn Lowe walked and advanced to third on an error by the third baseman, allowing Carson Ackermann to reach second. Brayden Buck then singled, driving in Lowe. Clayton Crooks followed with an RBI single, scoring Ackermann. Kaden Cretti grounded out, bringing Buck home to conclude the inning with Tacoma leading 3–0.

Lower Columbia narrowed the gap in the top of the seventh. Sam Davidson doubled and later scored on a single by Jaylen Kennedy. Jackson Wendt's RBI single brought home James Cote, making it a 3–2 game in favor of Tacoma.

In the eighth inning, Lower Columbia tied the game at 3–3. Easton Marshall, pinch running for Harlan Rowe, scored on a fielder's choice.

Lower Columbia secured the win in the top of the ninth. Jaylen Kennedy scored on Jackson Noonan's RBI single, and Martyn Hernandez scored on a fielder's choice by Keagan Kelly. TCC could not respond in the bottom half, resulting in a final score of LCC 5, TCC 3.

Devin Tep delivered a strong start for TCC, pitching 5 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out four batters and yielding just four hits. Tep efficiently managed his pitch count with 60 strikes out of 90 pitches. In relief, Jake Williams struggled, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two hit batters across one inning. Reece Boekenoogen concluded the game with 2 1/3 innings, conceding three earned runs on five hits, although he did manage to strike out one batter.

Tacoma Top Performers

Devin Tep
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- 5 2/3 innings pitched
- 4 strikeouts
- 0 earned runs

Brayden Buck
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- 1 run
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI

Vaughn Lowe
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- 1 run
- 4 walks

Go Titans!