(Longview, WA) – Handshakes and hugs were all over Story Field on Monday May 9
th as a college baseball rarity featured good feels all over.
The Lower Columbia baseball team was afforded a great opportunity with a home game against an NCAA Division I opponent. The Utah Valley Wolverines snapped the Red Devils 13-game win streak with a 5-2 victory. But the night was more about relationships than baseball.
As for the baseball, it was a good game. The Devils took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a
Kyle Parkman RBI single and a UVU passed ball.
Utah Valley using NCAA sanctioned metal bats came back to tie it 2-2 on a Brandon Luna solo homer and a double steal. The Wolverines then took the lead on another baserunning play and a Luna RBI single.
The evening was made possible because of Utah Valley head coach Eddie Smith. Smith spent four very successful years as the LCC head man including two NWAC championships. He left Longview for assistant coaching jobs at Tulane and LSU. He landed his first NCAA D-1 head coaching job at Utah Valley. With an open spot on the schedule and two days off between at series at Washington State and a game at Portland on Wednesday, Smith agreed to come back to his old stomping ground to play the Red Devils.
Smith told Daily News reporter Ryan Peerboom that he has fond memories. "I absolutely loved my time here", he said. "I love the level, I love the NWAC and I love the teaching that goes on here."
The love was returned. Several of Smith's players while at LCC showed up to reacquaint and offer support to their coach. It was the best crowd of the season and there were familiar faces all around Story Field.
Smith wasn't the only former Red Devils wearing Utah valley green. Michael Forgione and Kade Kryszko were both outstanding players at LCC and both are on Smith's coaching staff. All were honored in a pre-game ceremony.
LCC head coach
Kurt Lupinski jumped at the chance to play an top level NCAA game. Lupinski was part of Smith's coaching staff at LCC. "It was a great opportunity for our guys to compete and get better and we did", said Lupinski. "It was great to see Eddie and also former head coach Eric Lane and all the other Red Devils of the past." Lane threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Monday.
The Devils showed they could compete against a D-1 school but now they turn the focus back on the NWAC. Lower Columbia will host Tacoma this weekend in the final regular season four game series. There is a lot on the line. The Devils and Titans have identical West Region records of 17-4. LCC must win three of the four games to capture the West flag and punch a ticket into the NWAC tournament in Longview over the Memorial Day weekend.
A split means LCC would either take second or third in the West.
The series begins Saturday May 14
th, a 12 noon DH at Story Field. The scene shifts to Tacoma for a 1 pm twin bill on Sunday May 15
th.
LCC is hoping that many of the folks that came out on Monday will come back to cheer on the team this weekend.
