What would the Northwest Conference Baseball Tournament even be without Pacific?
The Boxers were not ready to find out.
Needing three wins over Lewis & Clark to secure its spot, Pacific was up to the challenge, no matter how long it took, defeating the Pioneers 5-4 Monday in 13 innings to complete the series sweep.
"That game reminded me of our season as a whole, a lot of ups and downs," Pacific baseball coach Brian Billings said. "Coming out on top feels awesome. I'm just happy for the guys. They put a lot of work in this season."
After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Boxers answered with two runs in the bottom of the third when Ty Yukumoto and Hunter Zielasko scored on a Dawson Tokishi single to right field.
Pacific took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh when Matt Gibbs tripled to right field, scoring CJ Colyer. Gibbs then scored on a Benjamin Lewis single to center field.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Lewis & Clark's Luke Bass hit an RBI double to right field to tie the game at 4-4.
After leaving two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth, Pacific loaded the bases with no outs in the 12th inning. But Lewis & Clark pitcher Ryan Harvey got a force out at home, a fly ball to shallow left field and then a ground ball to second base to get out of the jam.
The Boxers again loaded the bases in the 13th inning and Jack Rhea came through with a walk-off game-winning single to right field to score Gibbs.
Pacific's bullpen allowed just one run over 12 1/3 innings. Colyer shut out the Pioneers over six innings. Ayden Ruminski pitched three scoreless innings. William Merriott recorded the final out in the top of the 13th, getting a fly ball to right field, to earn the win.
"I'm really proud of our pitching staff," Billings said.
At the plate, Elijah Gonzales went 3-for-6 with a double. Lewis was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
Pacific will play in the 2024 NWC Tournament beginning Friday at No. 1 seed Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington.
"We've been playing playoff baseball now for a few weeks," Billings said. "Nothing changes for us. Anybody can win that thing. It's just a matter of who's hot and playing without any fear and having fun."
Pacific, the 2021 and 2022 NWC Tournament Champions, advance to the postseason for the fifth straight season.
"We have a lot of playoff experience on this team, so looking forward to putting that to the test," Billings said.
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Instagram and Twitter.
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