By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Lower Columbia’s Matt Kosderka came into the ninth inning of the Marion Berries’ series finale against the Bend Elks, looking for his second save of the season Thursday night.
The Berries came to life there late in the contest, rallying from a 5-0 deficit in the bottom half of the sixth inning to taking a 7-5 lead going into the eighth. The bats, which had been dominant in scoring runs during their first two games against Bend with three runs over the course of 22 innings, capitalized in a flash. They backed their defense, which outside of a rough top of the sixth inning had been rock solid over the course of the last two games.
“You know, keep going on every pitch, keep swinging. Keep swinging, and good things are going to happen. Hopefully, this is going to get us into a rhythm, get some momentum, keep going, and start winning some ball games,” said Oregon State’s Paul Vazquez. “Keep swinging, keep playing, keep grinding.”
Vazquez drove in five runs in the victory, including two doubles in the game, to help the Berries turn their fortunes into their favor. Will Stickney (USC) and Leahiaukai Arauji-Waiau (Hawaii) each drove in a run during the seven-run stretch for the Marion Berries.
Lucas Plenert (Geroge Fox), who came in for relief of Taylor Brenneman in the seventh inning, led the Berries defense to another shutout inning in the eighth. That shutout inning in the eighth was the seventh shutout inning of the game for the hometown squad in the game.
The Marion Berries couldn’t add to their cushion going into the ninth when Kosderka came in to close things out. But Kosderka came in and dealt. Marion Berries Head Coach Tucker Brack told the incoming college sophomore to stay on the plan, and it was something that he did. Turning a quick three-up, three-down inning to help the Berries get back into the win column.
“Don’t change up too high, not too low. Trusting God with all I do and come out here. new day, work hard and compete,” said Kosderka. “Our guys work hard. We knew that the swings were going to come. Just take good swings and compete in the box, and it always works out in the end.”
The Berries, who are now 11-12 on the year, will open a three-game weekend series with the Springfield Drifters. Game 1 of the series starts Friday at 6:35pm at Chemeketa Community College.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
