After three clutch victories over Pierce, it wasn't looking good for the Red Devils getting a much needed sweep.

Down 6-3 in the bottom of the last inning the Devils needed four runs to get the sweep and hold on to control of their West Championship destiny.

And they got it done!

Shane Jamison's two-run single tied up the game and LCC won it on a walk off walk, a sudden 7-6 victory over the Raiders keeping LCC tied for first place with Tacoma.

The weekend started with a pair of games at Mount Tahoma High School on Saturday May 4th.  Mitch Lines was dominating, pitching seven innings of two-hit ball with nine strikeouts and one walk.  The problem was the Devil offense was held scoreless by Raider pitcher Brock Wrolstad, who did not allow a run through six.

LCC blew the game open when they plated three in the 7th and six in the 8th to win the game 9-0.  Colin Floyd had a two-run single in the 7th followed by a Zach Threlfall RBI hit. Threlfall then added another RBI single in the 8th followed by a two run double from Noah Andrews and a two-run single from GJ Hurst.

Rance Pittman followed Lines with two innings of scoreless, hitless ball including five strikeouts.

The second game Saturday was all about Justin Solt.  The sophomore right hander went the distance allowing just three hits and two runs in seven innings as the Devils won 4-2.

The Devils jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one. Hunter Cook drove in a run with a single. Trevor Paro scored on a passed ball and Floyd hit a sacrifice fly.  It was all Solt would need. Paro added some insurance with a 4th inning RBI single.

The scene shifted to Story Field on Sunday May 5th and the pitching dominance continued.  Yancy Bird had a no-hitter through five innings.  He ended up going seven innings giving up five hits but left with the score tied 2-2. Pierce hurler Ryan Ancheta was also tough.

The game winning hit for LCC came in the 8th when Jamison hit a big run scoring double.  Freshman lefty Alex Brady got the win in relief by going two innings of perfect baseball including striking out the side in the 8th. The final was 3-2 Devils. 

DeShawn Johnson had two hits for LCC in that game.

Despite winning the first three games of the series, the Devils still needed the win in the finale to maintain a share of first.

Kaden Vanderwerf got the start but was victimized by two infield errors and some well placed infield hits in the second inning allowing three runs.  But Vandy came back to throw two more scoreless innings keeping the Devils in the game.

Down 3-2 in the 5th, head coach Eric Lane pulled Vanderwerf for effective reliever Michael Callia Junior.  Mikey wanted just one pitch back as Andrew Oasay of Pierce hit a two-run homer.  Dakota Hawkins gave up a single run in two innings of work.

Down 6-3 heading to the bottom of the 7th and final frame, the Devil Magic kicked in. Drew Barlow drew a walk. Cook was hit by a pitch.  Paro loaded the bases with a walk. With three runners on and no outs, Johnson's RBI single gave the Devils some hope. Then Jamison came up clutch again with a two-run single to tie the game. Floyd was intentionally walked to load em up again.  Chase Matheny, who had made some outstanding defensive plays on the day, came up and drew a walk to trigger a Red Devil celebration.

LCC is tied with Tacoma for first place at 18-3.  If Lower Columbia can sweep Green River Friday and Saturday, they would take the West championship by virtue of taking 3 of 5 games from the Titans.  Tacoma closes out the regular season with four games against cross-town rival Pierce.

Lower Columbia will host Green River for a double header on Friday May 10th at 4 pm.  The teams will then close out the regular season with two games at Hogan Field in Russell Road Park in Kent at 1 pm on Saturday May 11th.

If the Devils can sweep Green River, they will get the automatic entry into the NWAC Championships at Story Field on May 23-27.  If Tacoma wins the league title, the Devils would host a Super-Regional May 17-19.

With the sweep over Pierce, Lower Columbia College baseball has won 30 games or more for 20 seasons in a row.  LCC is 31-8.