The Bulldogs baseball team, defending NWAACC Champions, came out strong, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning of a doubleheader against Clark College. Sophomore Ian Parmley led off the game with a single, stole two bases and scored on the next pitch, a single by Cory Urquhart. The Bulldogs went on to score 13 runs on 13 hits in a 13-1 rout. The real highlight wasn’t the offense, as sophomore pitchers TJ Parthemer and Ronnie Johnson combined to throw a no-hitter in Bellevue’s season opener. It was Bellevue’s first no-hitter since 2002. Clark managed a run in the eighth without a hit on two walks and an error. Parthemer struck out 10 in five innings of work.
In game two against Clark, Bellevue won 4-0 on a combined shutout from Kyle Long, Tyler Manke, and Kyle Johnson, who also had the game-winning RBI in the first inning as he doubled in leadoff hitter Nick Smith. For the day, Parmley went 3-for-4 with 4 runs scored. Urquhart went 4-for-9 with 4 RBI’s. Dan Schmidt had a single, double, triple and 3 RBI’s, and Johnson went 4-for-7 with three doubles.
The Bulldogs traveled to Auburn for a doubleheader on Sun., Feb. 28, against Green River. Parmley again didn’t waste time as he singled and scored on an Urquhart single to give Bellevue an early 1-0 lead. Bellevue then tacked on three more runs, highlighted by Cody Edwards’ solo home run to right field. Bellevue’s pitchers were stellar as four Bulldogs (three making their college debut) held Green River to one run. Seafth Howe started and surrendered only one hit and was relieved by Nate Burgher, who not only was making his college debut, but was also making his first appearance in three years due to numerous injury battles. Burgher blanked the Gators in his one inning of relief. Kyle Swannack threw the final three innings of shutout relief to earn the save. Parmley finished the game 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored.
In game two, the Bulldogs overcame several obstacles to win the nightcap 4-2. Green River’s freshman sensation Cody Hebner, who turned down baseball scholarships to the University of Washington and Hawaii out of high school, had the Bulldog hitters under control through five innings, striking out six while surrendering only one hit. In the sixth, the Bulldogs capitalized on a leadoff walk and an error as Kyle Johnson delivered a bases-loaded hit past the center fielder to clear the bases, giving Bellevue a 4-1 lead and knocking Hebner out of the game.
Green River answered back with a run on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right field caught by a diving Cody Edwards. Parmley entered the game to earn the save for the Bulldogs, facing the minimum six hitters in two innings of relief work.
Sat., March 6, the Bulldogs travel to face Lower Columbia, the pre-season number one-ranked team in the NWAACC. The doubleheader will be the season opener for Lower Columbia as most teams did not play opening weekend. “Facing Green River on the road is a great way to prepare for LC,” said BC Head Coach Mark Yoshino, “they are both tough to win on the road and have frontline pitching.”
Please visit the BC Athletics website http://bellevuecollege.edu/athletics/ for additional team information. For complete standings, coaches’ polls and up-to-the-minute results, go to http://nwaacc.org
Admission to Bellevue College baseball home games is FREE to students, staff and faculty. Please come and support our outstanding student-athletes.
*Due to technical difficulties, statistics and box scores will not be available until further notice.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
