(Longview) – The Lower Columbia College baseball team is still the three-time defending NWAC champions.  They will finally get a chance for the four-peat.
 
The pandemic caused the 2020 and 2021 NWAC Baseball Championships to be cancelled and thus LCC's quest for history has been put on hold.  The 2022 tournament is a go and the Red Devils hope to get the opportunity.
 
There will be plenty of challenges ahead.
 
Head Coach Eric Lane resigned in the off-season to enter the private sector.  Assistant Kurt Lupinski has been elevated to head coach and he is optimistic that the same standards are in place. Lupinski was very instrumental in recruiting the classes that have showed championship character and he has brought in more players with great potential.  Joining the coaching staff this year is former WSU Cougar Ryan Ramsower, who played in Pullman when Lupinski was on the staff.  Veteran coach and current Bellingham Bells manager Adam Geaslen also brings great experience to the staff.
 
The biggest question mark will be pitching.  The pitchers who earned 22 of the teams 26 wins in 2021 have moved on to the next level.  So has pitching coach Ian Sanderson who is now the pitching coach for the Oakland University Grizzlies, a Division I program in Michigan. Sam Stuhr (Oregon State), Spencer Andersen (Arizona Christian), Griffin Henry (Arizona Christian), Mikey Callia (West Texas A&M), and Daniel Fuhrman (Bushnell) have all departed leaving the quest for innings wide open.
 
Offensively, the Devils have star power returning to the lineup.  Daniel Gernon hit .383 with five homers, 20 RBI's and a .500 OBP.  Matthew Schwarz had just three errors at shortstop and hit .273 with seven doubles and 16 RBI's.  Eric Luchies hit .385 with 13 RBI's.  Tyler Reese had a solid freshman season hitting .268 with four doubles and a .400 OBP.
 
The top returning pitchers are Ryan Pitts (14 K's in 8 innings) and Cole Bertram (4 saves in 9 innings).
 
Opportunities are plentiful for a freshman class that coach Lupinski calls "very talented".

The Devils open the season Saturday February 19^th with a double-header against NWAC power Bellevue.  The first pitch is slated for 2 pm at Story Field.  The Bulldogs then stick around for a Sunday double header the next day beginning at 11:00 am.
2022 RED DEVIL PLAYER SCOUTING REPORT
#3 Bryan Falk
Transfer right-handed hitting outfielder from Seattle U. Has battled various injuries and is working his way back. When he is healthy, he has thump in the bat! Bryan is a threat to do damage with a short and compact swing.
#4 Matthew Schwarz
Statistically over his two previous shortened seasons with LCC he has been best SS in the NWAC. He makes all the plays and has all the arm slots and arm strength to stay on the left side of the diamond at the DI level. Bat is developing and looks to be a bright spot in a long LCC lineup.
#5 Nick Miller
Top local HS talent and looks to be an early contributor for the Red Devils. Can play all over the infield and brings a solid RH bat to the mix. Expected to battle for starting spots in infield and DH spot.
#6 Tyler Reese
Potentially the best overall hitter for LCC in terms of making hard contact. He is a line drive machine and has a short, quick swing. Changed positions last season from an INF to an OF and the transition has gone well for him. Should be in the mix every day to battle for starts in the LCC lineup.
#7 Max Richards
Returner at the catcher position and has steadily improved in his time at LCC. Understands the game and has great baseball IQ and feel to catch. Knows what we are trying to do as an LCC pitching staff and helps pitchers be at their best.
#9 Tyler Peterson
Another top talent in this freshman class, Tyler is a dynamic athlete in the infield. He can make plays at all spots and has great arm strength packed in a smaller frame. Also has upside as a lefthanded hitter with sneaky juice for his size.
#10 Ethan Stacy
Another talented returner as a hitter and a second baseman. He has elite hand-eye skills and feel to time up pitchers. Very tough Australian who plays all out each day and he is poised for a huge year.
#11 Liam Kerr
Very solid corner infielder and right-handed hitter who has had injuries plague his career for 2 seasons as a Red Devil. He is feeling healthy going into 2022 and is expecting big things out of himself. He has been a great student and been a very hard worker throughout his career at LCC, excited for him to find success this season.
#13 Easton Amundson
Very sturdy built left-handed hitting freshman with huge raw power. Developing into a more consistent hitter in terms of contact but is a threat with every swing. Third base and first base type guy and may play some corner outfield at times but is working hard to improve as a defender and become a more complete player.
#15 Grady Finney
Very strong and raw athlete, multi-sport guy in high school and quickly improving now that he is only playing baseball. High level defensive ability to read and track fly balls. Hard contact when he squares the ball up and has already made big strides as a hitter since fall ball.
#16 Ryan Pitts
One of the top returning arms in the NWAC West Region. He has really polished his craft as a pitcher and is no longer just a hard thrower trying to overpower guys. He has two legit D1 caliber secondary pitches and bring consistent upper 8's and low 9's with the heater.
#17 Dylan Jester
Number 1 catcher for the Red Devils and brings off the charts make-up and plus defensive skills behind the dish. Great work ethic and continues to get better in all areas. Does a very good job with the pitching staff and has a solid IQ for the game and pitch calling.
#18 Eric Luchies
Left-handed hitter with easy loft in his swing. Has power potential and should be a real bright spot in the middle of the order. Has defensive versatility and can play outfield and first base.
#19 Matthew Lewis
Great athlete with a knack for making in game defensive plays and collecting clutch knocks. He is learning how to be a consistent everyday player in college baseball but is a big part of why the present and future in the outfield for LCC looks very strong.
#20 Michael Schwarz
Mike is a legit 2way guy for us. He will be a top freshman left-handed pitcher in the NWAC with a ceiling. As a right-handed hitting outfielder he is challenging for at bats and time in outfield when not pitching.
#21 Justin Stransky
Really gifted athlete with right-handed hitting power potential. He has a very strong throwing arm. He is learning a lot and adapting quickly to the nuances of being an elite college catcher. Has a bright future!
#22 Daniel Gernon
Physically gifted and polished out in centerfield. DG has really matured as a ball player and the game moves slower for him. Very talented power hitter and brings the noise every day. Will be a big part of what this 2022 club does this year.
#23 Jadon Williamson
Very raw right-handed pitcher with a muscular 6'6" frame who pitches at a lower slot arm angle that gives him great movement on his pitches. Developing consistency as a college athlete but the ceiling is limitless for this kid. Really excited for him to be a big part of this team and Red Devil Family.
#24 Kyle Parkman
Twitchy swing and defensive skills in right field for this high motor player. Kyle shows left-handed hitting power to all fields. He is transitioning from a high school hitter to a college hitter in terms of approach but has shown flashes of high-level skills and instincts in the box.
#25 Kyle Fitzgerald
The classic throwback "Swiss army knife" utility player. He is a right-handed pitcher and strike thrower but is a gifted athlete who can run and plays SS, 3B, 2B, LF, CF, and RF. Kyle gives LCC so may options to use him on offense, defense or as a baserunner, and he brings a consistent work ethic and compete level day in and out.
#27 Jase Schueller
A local kid who has pride in the area and absolutely bleeds Red and Blue for the LCC Red Devils. He is a relentless worker who continues to improve as a right-handed pitcher. Jase features big movement on his pitches and is mostly a fastball and curveball mix.
#29 Mac Elske
Mac was a super late add to the recruiting class during the summer but has been a solid bullpen performer throughout the fall and knows how to pitch. Really good fastball command and a couple nice off-speed pitches. Big time pitchability and strike thrower!
#30 Cole Bertram
Cole has the quickest arm on the pitching staff. His fastball gets on hitters and has late movement. He has developed a good slider and a late breaking split-changeup which allows him to get left-handed hitters out, as well as right-handed hitters.
#32 Braeden Munger
Top newcomer left-handed pitcher for LCC. Braeden has a very funky, deceptive delivery and creates a tough angle for the hitters with his low ¾ arm slot. He brings two good off-speed pitches to the mound and is an especially uncomfortable at bat for a left-handed hitter. Really excited for this kids' future!
#33 Brayden Wells
Brings power as a left-handed hitter and a left-handed pitcher for the Red Devils. Another talented two-way freshman, along with LHP he plays first base defensively. He has performed well on both sides of the ball and is building his resume to potentially be a large contributor this season.
#35 Drake Bird
Solid HS catcher with high intelligence and baseball IQ. He has good arm strength and an ability to catch and throw from behind the plate. Drake's bat has developed, and he has extra base type pop with a very solid approach. Also, can play some first base and could be an emergency pitcher if needed with a decent curveball.
#39 Aaron Robertson
Most improved pitcher from 2021 team. He is a funky and deceptive left-handed reliever with two plus off-speed pitches that can get hitters from both sides out. He is expected to log consistent relief appearances for LCC in the 2022 season.
#40 Austin Sheldon
Three pitch mix right-handed pitcher, fastball, curveball and changeup. Has seen big gains in his pitching related to weight room development. He is committing himself to the weight room and there is all kinds of upside with this pitcher as he develops. Expecting him to fight for innings each week throughout the season out of the bullpen.
#41 Brayden Marcum
A hidden gem left-handed pitcher from across the river in Rainier. He had all kinds of small school high school accolades in Oregon and has steadily settled in as a college caliber pitcher. Huge upside and room to improve as an athlete and brings a plus curveball from the left side for a strike consistently.
#43 Camdem Oram
Cam is one of the most gifted athletes in the program. He is a two-way guy with promise on both sides of the ball but has high upside on the mound. He is still learning his body but has present life and movement with all his pitches.