The Yakima Valley baseball team was hoping that its strong start to the preseason would translate to conference play. And after taking three of four from Blue Mountain last week, the Yaks appear to be a serious playoff contender.
 

After settling for a split on the road last Wednesday, the Yaks earned a sweep of the Timberwolves at home on Saturday. In game one, YVC took a 6-1 lead through four innings and then survived a late run by Blue Mountain to hold on for an 8-5 victory. Jace Fillmore went 3-for-5 with three RBI, Jaden Estrada went 3-for-4 and Garren Gooler finished 3-for-5 with an RBI as YVC outhit the Timberwolves 15-10. Starter Boston Snyder picked up the win, allowing six hits and one run while striking out nine over seven innings.
 

The bats stayed hot in game two, scoring early and often on the way to a 10-0 victory. Jackson Walker led the way, going 2-for-4 with four RBI, while Fillmore went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Gooler went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Starter Tannon Marsalis was practically untouchable, striking out eight and giving up just two hits and two walks over seven innings.
 

YVC started the series with a 9-4 road win on the strength of a six-run fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam by Gooler. He finished 3-for-4 with RBI and Will Feltus went 3-for-6 with two RBI as the Yaks racked up 14 hits on the afternoon. Walker followed up Gooler's blast with a solo home run in the fourth, and also pitched the first two innings, allowing three hits and one run. Andre Cephurs were Zach Swanson solid over the next six innings, and Ay Italasano finished it out with a scoreless ninth. 
 

In game two, the Yaks stayed even with the Timberwolves through six innings, but a three-run seventh proved to be the difference in a 5-2 defeat. Feltus picked up two of the team's eight hits and Diego Dickson added an RBI double. Starter Jacob Troast kept the Yaks in the game with eight strikeouts over five innings, but five walks by relievers Tristan Pullium and Austin Murphy led to Blue Mountain's breakthrough. Gus Musial pitched the final 1 2/3, striking out four.
 

Now 19-7 overall (3-1 NWAC East), the Yaks have won six of their past seven games heading into this week's four matchups with Walla Walla, starting with a road doubleheader on Wednesday.