The Lower Columbia College baseball team needed just one win in a four game series with Centralia to clinch the West Region title.  The Devils got it done in the first game then went to win the other three.
 
By capturing the school's 40^th divisional title, Lower Columbia qualified for the NWAC Baseball Championships May 24-28 at Story Field.
 
Mitch Lines went eight sparkling innings to get the victory in the clinching first game on Friday May 11^th.  Lines scattered eight hits and allowed just one run.  Derek Downey was on the mound for the final inning and his strikeout to end it triggered a diamond dog pile for the West title.
 
Hunter Cook hit an RBI double and ended up with three RBI's.  Blayze Arcano went 2 for 3 with two RBI's.
 
In between the games Friday, ten sophomores were honored for their time at LCC. Arcano, Ricky Muzzy, Kyle Sandstrom, Ryan Kaser, JT Strickler, Chase Hodkinson, Sam Trend-Beacom, Jared Akin, Chandler Michalek and Travis Paynter were introduced to the crowd and given framed photos.  This class will leave LCC with an NWAC championship, a West Division crown and possibly more in the next few days.
 
The second game Friday turned tight when the Centralia team scored five runs in the 5^th inning to tie up the game.  Yancy Bird was cruising with three innings of scoreless ball when all of a sudden he became wild.  Three HBP's and a bases clearing double chased him.  Deshawn Johnson came in and provided three innings of one-hit scoreless relief.
 
The Devils won the game 6-5 when Strickler scored after a steal attempt at third where the Blazers threw the ball away.
 
Sandstrom was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI.  Strickler went 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBI's.  Zach Threlfall also had two hits for LCC.
 
The scene shifted to Centralia on Saturday May 12^th and the Devils won both games. The scored were 18-6 and 14-1.
 
LCC had 15 hits in the first game Saturday led by Strickler who was 4 for 6 including a grand slam home run.  Muzzy went 3 for 6 including a triple and four RBI's.
 
Cook went 3 for 4 with two RBI's.  GJ Hurst hit a two run homer in the 7^th to cap off a big offensive game.

Jared Akin started for LCC and went three innings giving up six runs, four earned.  Justin Solt came on and provided four outstanding shutout innings allowing just two hits. Solt struck out five.
 
The hits and runs kept coming in the series finale.  The Devils banged out 13 more hits. Zach Larson hit his first collegiate home run, part of a 2 for 3 day with two RBI's.
 
Drew Barlow had a nice game at the plate going 2 for 3 with three RBI's.  Arcano had three hits with two runs scored.
 
Travis Paynter collected a complete game victory giving up just one run in his six innings of work.
 
The Devils finished the regular season with a 31-7 overall record and a 22-3 league championship under first year head coach Eric Lane.
 
By winning the division, the Devils have qualified for the NWAC Tournament in Longview beginning May 24^th.  LCC will take on the winner of the North hosted Super Regional against either Everett, Mt. Hood or Centralia.  The Devils opening game at the NWAC will begin at 7:35 pm.