The LCC baseball team knew going into a four game series with Green River that they could take care of business themselves and get back to the NWAC Baseball Championships with a sweep.

The Devils were fortunate to win a lackluster first game and then grabbed the division title decisively by taking the final three games.  As it turned out, Pierce came up with a Sunday sweep of second place Tacoma so Lower Columbia ended up winning the West by two games over the Titans.

It was Sophomore Night on Friday May 10th and in 90 degree heat, the Devils almost wilted before coming away with a 7-6 victory.  Four errors and other mental miscues allowed the Gators to rally from behind twice to take the lead.  But LCC scored three runs in the bottom of the eight and it turned out to be the difference.

Mitch Lines got the start and went five innings allowing just one hit.  He walked three and two Devils errors allowed two runs to come home, one unearned.  Lines got a no-decision.

Dakota Hawkins went two innings but the defense let him down.  He gave up four runs on three hits, but just one of the runs was earned.  Rance Pittman was clutch as he went two innings of one hit ball with four strikeouts to get the save.

Noah Andrews had three hits including an RBI triple and a double.

Trevor Paro, GJ Hurst and Colin Floyd had two hits each.  Zach Threlfall had two RBI's.

The second game Friday night was an 11-1 Red Devil win.  Justin Solt got the win by going four innings allowing just two hits and an unearned run.  Solt struck out seven Gators.  Zach Horne worked around two walks by striking out the side in the bottom of the 5th.  The game went just 4 1/2 innings due to the mercy rule.

LCC had 13 hits.  Hunter Cook had two hits and three RBI's to pace the offense.  James Grubb came into the game and celebrated Sophomore Night with two hits including a double.

Paro and Andrews also had two hits each.  Drew Barlow drove in two runs.

Following the games Friday, the sophomore class was honored with framed pictures and handshakes and hugs from family and teammates.

The scene shifted to Russell Road Park in Kent on Saturday May 11th.  The Devils won both games by scores of 12-3 and 15-0.

Yancy Bird got the ball in the first game Saturday and dominated.  Bird allowed just one hit and struck out 10 in five innings of work.  Eli Schubert had some control issues when he walked six Gators in four innings.  He allowed six hits and struck out five.

Andrews had three hits for LCC. Shane Jamison and Barlow had two hits each.  Barlow also drove in three runs.

Paro also drove in three runs and DeShawn Johnson scored three runs.

The regular season finale again featured great pitching and plenty of offensive contributors.  Kaden Vanderwerf went five hitless innings with 11 strikeouts. The only blemish was one walk.  Nick Jennings came in and closed it down by allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in the final frame.

LCC had six extra basehits.  Paro, Chase Matheny and Grubb hit doubles.  Matheny, Floyd and Johnson had triples.

Grubb made the most of his start by going 3 for 4 with four RBI's.  Matheny had three hits and three RBI's.  Floyd had three RBI's.

The Devils closed out the regular season with a record of 35-8 and 22-3 in the West.

Lower Columbia will take a 14-game winning streak into the NWAC Baseball Championships May 23-27 at Story Field.  By winning the West, Lower Columbia avoids the Super Regionals and are already into the final eight where they will try and make it three straight conference championships. 

LCC will open the tournament Thursday night May 23rd against the winner of the South Super Regional hosted by Mt. Hood.  LCC's opening game in the tournament will begin at 7:35 pm.