(Kelso, WA) – The Lower Columbia College softball team had its home openers delayed on two occasions.  Third time was the charm!
 
The Red Devils hit nine home runs in a double header sweep of Grays Harbor on Wednesday March 29^th. The original schedule had Mt. Hood versus LCC at Heerensperger Field but it was postponed twice due to weather and wet grounds.  When Grays Harbor asked for a home and home flip of the schedule, it meant the Chokers were the first LCC home opponent.  It was all LCC.
 
Game #1 – Lower Columbia 11 Grays Harbor 5
 
The Devils pounded out 15 hits in the first game including long balls by Sunny Bennion, Sawyer Stenson, Destiny Dunlap and Leanna Russell.
 
LCC pounced on Grays Harbor starter Ronni Graham scoring 10 runs in the first four innings.  The offense backed up the pitching of LCC starter Darby DeRuyter who struck out 12 Chokers over 6 1/3 innings.  DeRuyter worked around eight walks before tiring in the top of the 7^th.  Teeghan Reams came in to collect the final two outs.
 
Reams went 3 for 4 at the plate.  Russell was 3 for 4 with three RBI's.  Bella Aspaas was 2 for 3.
 
Stenson was 2 for 3 with three RBI's and Bennion was 2 for 3 with two runs batted in.
 
Bennion was just getting started.
 
Game #2 – Lower Columbia 27 Grays Harbor 0
 
Bennion opened the game with the first of two homers in the nightcap.  She ended up 3 for 5 with five RBI's.  On the day, Bennion was 5 for 8 with three homers and seven RBI's.
 
The Devils offense continued to strike in the nightcap.  Stenson, Reams and Dunlap also hit bombs in the second game.  Lower Columbia had 25 hits in the second game.
 
Stenson was 4 for 5 with four RBI's.  Reams was 3 for 5 with three runs driven in.  Raychel Squibb was 3 for 4.  Maliyah Twitty had a college career high four hits in four at bats with four RBI's.
 
Ella Dillon got her first college base hit and then added another. She was 2 for 4 with three runs scored.  Dunlap added three more hits in the second game with five RBI's.
 
The offense more than backed the pitching of Reams who made her first college start.  Reams went five innings of shutout ball allowing just three hits, striking out eight with no walks.
 
LCC will need more offense when they take on the Southwestern Oregon Lakers in Coos Bay on Thursday April 30^th.  After the demolition of Grays Harbor, the Devils got on the bus to make the long trip the following morning.
 
The games were originally slated for Saturday April 1^st but were moved up due to a favorable weather forecast.  The first game begins at 2 pm.