The scenario didn't equate to an automatic NWAC tournament berth, but the Lower Columbia College softball team is still making plans to play in Portland.

The Devils swept Chemeketa 8-5 and 17-9 on Friday May 13th.  It was Sophomore Day as the six upperclassmen were honored in a ceremony in between the two wins.

The Devils needed Southwestern Oregon to beat Clackamas to give LCC second place and the automatic berth to the championship tournament but it didn't happen.  LCC is virtually assured of an at-large berth with an RPI currently sixth in the conference.

Chemeketa was game in the first tilt, taking a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning. That's when the Devils exploded for four runs in the 5th and another single tally in the sixth.

Ashley Kelly highlighted the big inning with a tape measure homer over the storage shed in right field.  Sam Boyce also went deep and Bailey Hockett hit a frozen rope dinger.

Kelly was 3 for 3 with two RBI's. Her double extended her school record total to 24.  Jessica Gibson hit another double to put her right behind at 23. 

Krystina Fischer struggled in her start, giving up seven hits and five runs in four innings.  Bailey Ellis picked her up with three innings of scoreless relief, allowing just four hits to get the victory.

The second game was all LCC as the Devils scored five in the first inning then blew it open with 11 runs in the second inning alone.

Boyce went 2 for 2 with a another homer and four RBI.  Hockett added another long ball, part of her 3 for 4, four RBI game.  Hannah Rothwell went 2 for 2 including a homer and three ribbies.

Kelly came up with another double to pad the record with 25 two-baggers.

Mariah Mendez had two hits and two RBI's. Nicole Bolasky stole two bases in the nightcap to put her one theft away from the All-Time NWAC record of 64.

Ellis started and wasn't as sharp. Rothwell came on for the middle innings and was credited with the victory. Freshman Taylor Brooks was the most effective, pitching a scoreless final inning.

The ceremony honored Kelly, Fischer, Ellis, Madison Barr, Maggie Harshaw and Bolasky.

The Devils will find out thier opening draw when the pairings are announced on Monday or Tuesday.  The NWAC tournament begins Friday morning at Delta Park in Portland.