LONGVIEW, Wash. — Making their first tournament appearance since 2008, the Wenatchee Valley Knights upset the two-time defending champions Linn-Benton by a 6-5 score on Thursday in Game 2 of the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship at David Story Field.
The win is the first for the Knights in the tournament since 2006 and their third all-time.
The Knights used a big fifth inning in which they scored five of their six runs, capped by a two-run double by
Carter Perlinski to go ahead 6-3. This was on the heels of a three spot by the Roadrunners who had just taken a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth.
After
Luke Sterkel went 5.1 strong innings with five punchouts for WVC, the bullpen came into secure the victory.
Miles Ducharme pitched in and out of trouble over 1.2 innings, allowing one run with two strikeouts. One of the biggest plays of the game came in the bottom of the seventh when Linn-Benton's Noah Scharer drove a line drive to left field with the bases loaded and two outs. The first run came home, but left fielder
Teyton Hardeman gunned down the runner to preserve the 6-5 lead for the Knights.
Evan Reece entered in the eighth inning and shutdown LBCC over the final two innings, striking out two without allowing a base runner to earn the save.
Hardeman proved to be a key player with a strong performance at the plate, recording three hits in the game.
Kamren Agpalza also made a significant impact, driving in one run and adding two hits to the team's efforts.
Carter Perlinski showcased his ability to drive in runs, leading the team with two RBIs and contributing a double.
Bryant Starr led the Roadrunners with a strong performance, hitting a home run in the fourth. Noah Scharer went 1-for-3 for two runs and an RBI while Nick Biagi made a significant impact by driving in three runs. On the mound, Dayne Castillo delivered a strong pitching performance with four strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in relief, allowing only one earned run. Emmett Stacher made the start, allowing four earned runs over 4.1 innings.
Wenatchee Valley will move on in the winner's bracket, next taking on Everett in Game 7 on Friday at 4:35 p.m. Linn-Benton, looking for a rare three-peat, will have to work its way through the loser's bracket, starting with a 9:35 a.m. game on Friday against Pierce in Game 5.
