College Baseball: Big innings lead UCC to league sweep of SWOCC

COOS BAY — Two big innings made all the difference for the Umpqua Riverhawks in a doubleheader sweep over the Southwestern Oregon Lakers on Wednesday at Southwestern Oregon Community College.

UCC put up five runs in the third inning and held off SWOCC for a 6-3 win in the opener and the Riverhawks plated seven runs in the seventh inning of Game 2 for a comeback 9-7 victory.

Umpqua’s Jackson Thomsen and Trevor Ratliff both had four RBIs between the two games. Thomsen was 3-for-11 with two RBIs in each game. Ratliff was just 1-for-9 on the day, but managed to drive in two runs in each game.

A two-out single by Thomsen got the scoring started in the third inning of Game 1. Ratliff drove in a pair with a single two batters later. Triston Wallace followed with a two-run double to put Umpqua (15-5, 10-3 South Region) ahead 5-0.

The lead was plenty for starting pitcher Beau Ramsey, who tossed six shutout innings on the way to the win. Ramsey allowed four hits, while walking three and striking out three.

Southwestern Oregon (12-13, 4-9 South Region) scratched out three runs against reliever Tyler Miller, but Tristan Ledbetter closed the door and earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

SWOCC rallied from a 2-0 deficit in Game 2 and took a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly by Cole Collins in the sixth inning. The advantage was short-lived as the Riverhawks scored seven times in the seventh for a 9-3 lead. Thomsen, Ben Allen, Taylor Davis and Shiloh Wilson all plated runs for the ‘Hawks in the inning.

Bayden Morris pitched three innings in relief and allowed five runs, but was credited with the win thanks to the offensive rally. Josh Jackson pitched the ninth inning and earned the save after allowing one hit, striking out two and walking two.

Caden Kuhnert shined offensively for UCC by going 4-for-9 on the day.

Ayumu Yazawa was 6-for-10 in the lead off spot for SWOCC. Patrick Clark was also 3-for-7 for the Lakers.

Umpqua and Southwestern Oregon will meet for another doubleheader starting at noon Saturday at Champion Car Wash Field.

First Game

Umpqua;005;100;000;—;6;9;1

SW Oregon;000;000;030;—;3;11;1

Ramsey, Miller (7), Ledbetter (9) and Robbins; Sanada, Rempfer (5) and Long, Martel. W — Ramsey (4-1). L — Sanada (3-1). SV — Ledbetter (1). 2B — Wallace (UCC), Metzker (UCC), Grover (SWOCC), Horikawa (SWOCC).

Second Game

Umpqua;200;000;700;—;9;13;3

SW Oregon;100;011;130;—;7;11;5

Hartsell, Morris (6), Jackson (9) and Allen; Furuhata, Yazawa (7) and Martel. W — Morris (3-0). L — Yazawa (0-1). SV — Jackson (3). 2B — Wilson (UCC), Metzker (UCC), Horikawa (UCC).