Another season of Lower Columbia College baseball is here. The Red Devils have a chance to do something that has never been done in the NWAC. The goal is to win a fourth consecutive championship. LCC is currently riding a three-peat and it's the second time it's happened here. The 1995-1996-1997 Devils also achieved it. It's certainly not going to be easy but the opportunity is there and the team will give it a shot.
The season opens against a really strong opponent. The Spokane Sasquatch has a weekend head start on LCC as Bigfoot opened the season with a sweep at Big Bend last weekend. Spokane won by scores of 16-2, 14-6, 31-3 and 6-2. That's 67 runs in four games. Yikes! It appears Big Foot can rake and it will be a big challenge for the Red Devil pitching staff. LCC pitching coach Ian Sanderson will sending out Tyson Guererro, Nick Jennings, Dakota Hawkins and Kaden Vanderwerf as the scheduled starters this weekend.
Spokane can also pitch it. The Sasquatch have a formidable rotation including Colton Carnholm, Cameron Liss, Devon Sharts and McKabe Cottrell. Spokane comes into the four game series with an ERA of 2.89 after the sweep over the Vikings. Jase Edwards had a monster series last weekend, going 10-17 (.588) with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI's. Brendan Duncan was in internet sensation last NWAC tournament when he took his bald head and a suction cup dart into cyber celebrity. But he can hit as evidenced by his eight hits and 11 RBI's last weekend.
There are plenty of familiar Red Devils back to make it another great season. Key players from last year's championship team include Chase Matheny, Shane Jamison, Trenton King, Tommy Davis and Jhamante Woods. Jennings, Hawkins, Vanderwerf are back on the bump along with top-notch relievers Alex Brady and Eli Shubert.
Guererro is the newcomer to watch. He had plenty of playing time during his freshman season at Washington State and he is a multi-talented player who can pitch, hit, run and catch it. Guererro has already committed to attend the University of Washington next season. The Major League Draft is also a real possibility. Guererro is going to be fun to watch! There are many other freshman players whose names we will soon learn starting this weekend. It's going to be fun!!
The Devils will be back home this Tuesday when they host the Clackamas Cougars in a 4:00 pm double header here at Story Field. The Lane Titans then visit for a four game set next Friday at 2:00 pm and next Saturday at 11:00 am. Make your plans to join us all season long for great college baseball right here at Story Field.
Who knows? It could be historic!
