Baker diamondmen roll

Baker made the best of a long day Tuesday, defeating Grant Union 11-4 in a non-league baseball game at John Day.

The matchup was supposed to be a doubleheader, but because of the length of the first game, and the weather, the teams didn’t start Game 2.

“We didn’t even worry about a second game,” said Baker coach Dan Blankenship. “They don’t have lights and with the length of the first game.

“It was just the way the day went. We were late leaving Baker. We had bus problems. We didn’t get to John Day until late and didn’t get any batting practice before the game.

“But I thought the kids did a great job of adjusting,” Blankenship said. “Give the kids credit. They did a great job of competing in bad conditions against a good ball club.”

Baker spotted Grant Union four runs on two hits and a pair of walks in the first inning.

Trace Richardson’s RBI single scored Jordan Harlow in the second to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Baker then tied the game at 4-4 with three runs in the fourth. Ty Everson drove in the first run with a single. The other two scored when Grant Union botched a doubleplay attempt on Derek Blankenship’s grounder with the bases loaded.

Baker went ahead for good with three more runs in the fifth. Harlow’s solo homer got the ball rolling. Walks to Jon Woolard and Matt Gorrell and Will Barr’s hot-by-pitch loaded the bases. Everson and Blankenship followed with back-to-back singles to drive in thw other two runs.

Baker completed the scoring with four runs in the seventh. Cole Brown slapped an RBI double for the first run. Then, after Blankenship walked, Dekker Smith slugged a three-run homer.

Everson allowed four hits while throwing the first six innings. He struck out three. Smith pitched a scoreless seventh.

Baker (5-1) is now idle until Tuesday when the Bulldogs host Heppner in a doubleheader Tuesday at the Baker Sports Complex.

Baker    0    1    0    3    3    0    4    —    11

Grant Union    4    0    0    0    0    0    0    —    4

Everson, Smith (7) and Gorrell. WP – Everson (3-0).

Baker hits – Everson 3, Brown 3, Blankenship, Smith, Harlow 2, Richardson, Woolard 2, Gorrell.

Baker RBI – Everson 2, Brown, Blankenship, Smith 3, Harlow, Richardson.

2B – Brown. HR – Harlow, Smith.