Bulldogs baseball drop first two home games

COLFAX - After winning two games in Asotin last week, the Colfax Bulldogs baseball team opened their home games with a double-header against the Northwest Christian (Colbert) Crusaders.

The two games were played on Friday, March 22.

Colfax held a five-run advantage in the game until the second-to-last inning, when the Crusaders scored four runs in the sixth, and two in the seventh to take the 7-6 victory.

Starting pitcher JP Wigen pitched five-and-a-third innings for the Bulldogs in the first game. He allowed five runs on six hits and four walks. He would strike out five batters in the game.

Caden Inderrieden replaced Wigen, pitching one and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on one hit.

"I thought our pitching was excellent against a really good hitting team," said Colfax Baseball Head Coach Scott Parrish.

Colfax only managed six hits in the first game, two of them coming from Emeric Anderson.

Inderrieden did not record a hit in the game, but had two walks for two RBIs.

The Bulldogs scored five runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead, but let off the gas late, allowing the Crusaders to take the one-run lead in the final inning. Colfax were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh, dropping the first game of the day.

Following the loss, the Bulldogs took on the Crusaders again. This time, Colfax held a one-run lead from the fourth inning until the sixth, when the Bulldogs scored one run in the sixth and four in the seventh to win the game 7-3.

Dawson Lobdell pitched all seven innings for the Bulldogs in the second game. He allowed seven runs on eight hits with two walks. He also struck out three batters on the day.

Colfax only had five hits this game for their three runs, with one error.

Alton Burt had two hits in the game, and both Aslan Burt and Wigen had an RBI for Colfax.

"Northwest Christian was one of the favorites to win our league and we were right there with em for both games. Tough losses, but there's no question our guys will bounce back this week," said Parrish.

Colfax had opportunities to take both games on the day, especially the first game. The Bulldogs had runners on base most innings throughout the first game, however, they were unable to produce enough hits or extra base runners to score more runs.

Wigen pitched a good game in the first match. The lone run in the early part of the game for the Crusaders came by way of a ball, however, Wigen was solid other than that.

In the second game, Colfax was ahead again, but could not come up with the key outs late to split the series against the Crusaders.

The next game for the Bulldogs will see the junior varsity team take on the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles team on Friday, March 29, in Colfax. The varsity team will play Saturday, March 30, against Kettle Falls for a double-header. The games will be played in Kettle Falls, with first pitch scheduled for noon.

The Eagles are currently 1-3 on the season. They split a series against Walla Walla to open their 2024 campaign, but lost two straight to Pomeroy in Pomeroy. The Eagles scored just two runs total in the two games against the Pirates.

Kettle Falls are currently 0-1 on the season. Their lone game was a 16-4 loss against Colville on the road.

Colfax and Kettle Falls met three times last year. Colfax was victorious in all three outings in the battle of the Bulldogs.