Gritty Win, Tough Loss: Storm Showcase Highs and Lows in Saturday Twin-Bill
Cuff’s Clutch Knock: Late-Inning Rally Secures Game 1 for the Storm
SALEM, Ore. — It was a tale of two very different ballgames for the Chemeketa Storm on Saturday. In a doubleheader that featured both a gritty, come-from-behind victory and a tough run-rule defeat, Chemeketa showed exactly how dangerous their discipline can be—and how thin the margin for error is in NWAC play.
Game 1: The Art of the Walk and the Clutch Cuff
Final: Chemeketa 5, Clackamas 3
The opener was a masterclass in situational baseball. While the Storm were out-hit 7 to 3, they turned the batter's box into a fortress, drawing a staggering 10 walks to keep the pressure on the Cougars all afternoon.
The story began on the mound with Ryne Hockman, who turned in a gem. Hockman tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, scattering six hits and striking out four, providing the steady presence the Storm needed to stay in the hunt.
However, the drama peaked in the 7th. After Clackamas rallied for three runs in the top of the frame to take a 3-2 lead, the Storm didn't blink. With two runners on, Dylan Cuff delivered the swing of the day—a 2-RBI single that reclaimed the lead and sent the dugout into a frenzy. Brodan Curtiss added an insurance RBI in the 8th, and Andrew Yost slammed the door in the 9th to earn the save.
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The Hockman Standard: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K.
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Clutch Factor: Dylan Cuff's go-ahead 2-RBI single in the 7th.
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Patience at the Plate: 10 walks drawn by Storm hitters.
Game 2: Control Issues Stifle the Storm
Final: Clackamas 10, Chemeketa 0 (5 Innings)
The momentum from Game 1 proved difficult to carry into the nightcap. In a game defined by a lack of rhythm, the Storm struggled to find the strike zone, issuing 11 walks to a disciplined Clackamas lineup.
The Cougars broke the game open early with a three-run home run by Tanner McKoy in the 3rd inning. Offensively, the Storm bats were silenced by Clackamas' Anderson Tordiffe, who allowed only two hits—singles by Slater Tsuma and Isaiah Sanchez—while racking up nine strikeouts.
By The Numbers: Saturday's Split
| Category | Game 1 (W, 5-3) | Game 2 (L, 0-10) |
| Hits | 3 | 2 |
| Walks (Batting) | 10 | 1 |
| Walks (Pitching) | 6 | 11 |
| Strikeouts (Pitching) | 8 | 4 |
Storm Spotlight: Patience is a Virtue
Despite the Game 2 setback, the Storm's overall approach in the opener is the blueprint for future success. Drawing 10 walks in a single game is a testament to the coaching staff's emphasis on plate discipline. Liam Irish, Brodan Curtiss, and Wyatt Hooper combined for 6 of those 10 walks in Game 1, proving that you don't always need a hit to be a hero.
Looking Ahead
The Storm (3-9) will look to clean up the command on the mound as they prepare for their next conference tilt. If they can marry the dominant starting pitching seen from Hockman with the clutch hitting of Cuff, the Storm are poised to make a deep run as the spring season heats up.
Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio