By Christopher Halsey

Staff writer

HERMISTON With a pair of wins in the seasons first week, the Hermiston Bulldogs have collected 27 hits over 18 innings of play and had some very strong pitching.

The Bulldogs smashed Hood River 24-1 a week ago today and then edged Hanford, Wash. 6-2 in 11-innings Saturday. Hermiston was unable to finish a Thursday game in Sunnyside, Wash., due to rain.

Hermiston 24, Hood River 1

The Bulldogs opened the season with an impressive showing on offense, pounding the Eagles with 14 runs in the fourth inning alone.

Facing a less than adequate pitching staff, Hermiston amassed 18 hits in four innings including four home runs and a total of 10 extra base hits.

Starting pitcher Matt Bergstrom was strong for Hermiston allowing one unearned run and one hit while fanning 11 Eagle batters.

Hes been in a zone since we started, Depew said. He had a very dominant performance and hes still not throwing as hard as he can.

The Bulldogs sent 18 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, pummeling relief pitcher Zach Lucas in his only inning of work. Hermiston scored seven runs before an out was recorded. Carter led-off the inning with an infield single before a string of three consecutive extra-base hits by Hermiston batters.

Jared Zabransky doubled home Carter and scored on a booming home run over the center field fence by Tyler Hoyt. Nicandro Sanchez doubled ahead of Brandon Hickey, who reached on an error. Michael Ramirez then stroked a pinch-hit single ahead of a single by Chris Murray.

Mario Martinez slapped a ball over the fence in his only plate appearance of the game and Bergstrom had a home run in his only at bat as well. Both yard shots came in the fourth frame.

Hermiston 6, Hanford 2 (11 inn.)

Bulldog starter Jared Zabransky was shaky in his season opening pitching start, but Hermiston recovered from a two-run first inning by Hanford to win 6-2 in 11 innings.

Zabransky walked the first batter of the game and yielded a home run to the second batter but allowed no more runs in the game.

He settled down after the first inning, Depew said.

The Bulldogs scored a run in the fourth inning and tied the game with a run in the seventh.

(For the full story, see the March 20 issue of the Hermiston Herald)