It was a highly competitive weekend of baseball with the Pierce Raiders. Somehow the Red Devils were able to find ways to keep the West Region record unblemished.
Saturday in Tacoma, the Devils beat Pierce 6-4 in 10 innings and 11-7. Sunday, the Devils beat Pierce 7-3 and 10-5.
The weekend started with a great game at Mt. Tahoma HS. Michael Forgione hit a two-run single in the top of the 10th inning to give the Devils the win. Down 2-0 in the 4th inning, Ryan Littlefield smacked a three-run homer to give LCC the lead. Pierce came back with two to regain the lead, but a run in the top of the 6th tied things up. It wasn't until the 10th when Forgione came up with the game winner. Christian Parsons provided five innings of hitless, scorless relief to get the victory. Tanner Marty had two hits and an RBI.
The Raiders had a 3-1 lead after six innings in the nightcap Saturday. The Devils then exploded for 10 runs in the top of the 7th and final inning to take the lead. Pierce made it interesting with four runs in the bottom of the frame, final 11-7. Rory Graf-Brennen came off the bench and provided two hits and two RBI in the 7th inning alone. Lorin Archibald had two hits and two RBI. Marty had two more hits and Jake Bakamus also had two hits. Gabe Ihrig got the win despite struggling in the 7th. Kade Kryzsko gave up just one earned run in six innings.
The scene shifted to Longview on Sunday for Sophomore Day. The proceedings started with North Thurston teacher Brady Olsen throwing out ceremonial first pitch. It was Olsen's heroics that diffused a school shooting incident just days earlier.
Sunday's first game ended when Bakamus hit a walk-off grand slam, giving the Devils a 7-3 victory. The Raiders took a 3-2 lead in the eight inning, but Bakamus hit a lead-off triple and then tied the game on a wild pitch. In the ninth, the Devils loaded the bases and Bakamus deposited the pitch over the right field wall to trigger a mob scene at home plate. Joel Worden got the win with four innings of solid relief. Ryan Littlefield had a two run double in the first inning for LCC.
The Devils then played long-ball in the series finale as Seaver Whalen and Archibald went back to back in the third inning. Bakamus also had three hits and three RBI's to continue his torrid hitting. Littlefield and Ryan Enquist had two hits each. Alex Torson got the win, now 7-0 on the season. Nick Tabura closed the door with two innings of one-hit relief.
Despite the sweep, the Devils are still just two games ahead of second place Tacoma with a four game set looming against the Titans.
Friday the Devils host a DH at 4 pm. "From The Battlefield to the Outfield" is a special promotion to honor all veterans and military who will recieve free admission. The regular season will then close on Saturday with a 1 pm DH at Tacoma.
