(Longview, WA) – The
Kurt Lupinski era of Red Devils baseball opened in impressive fashion.
The Lower Columbia baseball team began defense of its three-season run of NWAC championships by sweeping the Bellevue Bulldogs Saturday and Sunday February 19
th and 20
th. The Devils outscored the Bulldogs 33-9 in the four-game series which marked the debut of Lupinski as the head coach.
Game One Saturday
Freshman
Michael Schwarz was impressive as the season-opening starter. He went 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball leading LCC to a 10-0 victory shortened to seven innings due to the mercy rule. Schwarz struck out six and walked just one in a great debut as a college pitcher.
Freshman outfielder
Kyle Parkman, a teammate of Schwarz at Central Valley of Spokane, launched a long solo homer. Parkman scored three runs in the game.
Schwarz' big brother
Michael Schwarz had a hit, two walks and scored two runs for LCC.
Freshman third baseman
Nick Miller from Kelso was 3 for 5 with three RBI's for the Devils.
Drake Bird had a two-run double for LCC.
Game Two Saturday
Daniel Gernon hit a first-inning, two-run triple to kickstart the offense as the Devils went on to beat Bellevue 11-5 in the Saturday nightcap. Gernon went 3 for 5 with three RBI's.
LCC starter
Ryan Pitts went three innings of one-hit ball.
Jadon Williamson got the win with three innings of work.
Aaron Robertson got the three-inning save.
Ethan Stacy was 2 for 4 with three RBI's.
Game One Sunday
Another freshman sparkled on the hill for LCC.
Braeden Munger went five innings of hitless ball, striking out seven in a 6-1 LCC victory. The lefty was in command and worked around three walks.
Brayden Wells worked four solid innings of relief to get the save.
Kyle Fitzgerald went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Game Two Sunday
The Devils completed the four-game sweep with a 6-3 win.
Cole Bertram went four frames of one-hit ball.
Austin Sheldon worked out of a fifth inning jam to allow just one-run.
Mac Elske also showed toughness by getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the 7
th and final inning to get the save.
Gernon was 2 for 2 with an RBI and three runs scored.
The Devils get ready for another four-game home series next weekend against the Skagit Valley Cardinals. The double header on Saturday February 26
th begins at 12 noon. The twin bill on Sunday February 27
th begins at 11 am.
