(Centralia, WA) – The Lower Columbia College softball team scored four runs in the final inning to turn a potential losing sweep into a road split.
It was an afternoon at the brand new Centralia on-campus field where LCC hit balls hard right at defenders and the Devils made some uncharacteristic mistakes.
Game #1 – Centralia 4 Lower Columbia 3
The Blazers scored two runs in the bottom of the 7
th inning to snatch away the victory. LCC made two errors and allowed three hits in the fateful final frame.
Red Devil starter
Alli Heater had given up just two runs and three hits before things got away in the 7
th. Heater went the distance allowing six hits and four runs (two runs unearned).
Teeghan Reams got the LCC offense started with a solo homer in the top of the first. LCC added another run in the third when
Sunny Bennion hit a double, stole third and then came home on a
Sawyer Stenson groundout.
Heater helped herself in the 6
th when her hard-hit ball went off the pitchers glove to score a run.
Heater and
Raychel Squibb had two hits each.
Game #2 – Lower Columbia 13 Centralia 11
It wasn't looking good in the second game as LCC had to score four runs in the top of the 7
th to turn a two run deficit into a two run victory.
The Devils jumped out to a 6-2 lead after two innings. Stenson hit a two run shot in the first. Her bases clearing triple drove in three in the second.
But the Blazers got back into the game off LCC starter
Sadie Knutson. Centralia scored two in the third and then erupted for five runs in the 4
th. Two of the runs scored on an LCC infield error.
Darby DeRuyter came in to pitch and gave up two runs on two hits with two walks in 2/3 innings.
Heater returned to the circle and calmed the storm, getting the win after LCC scored four in the 7
th. Heater got the final three outs.
Stenson went 3 for 5 with five RBI's and four runs scored. Bennion was 3 for 4 with four runs scored. Squibb had a key hit in the 7
th inning rally driving in two runs.
Leanna Russell went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
The Devils are 15-9 in South Region play and 22-16 overall.
Lower Columbia hosts Clackamas in a big league doubleheader on Saturday May 6
th. The first game at Tam O'Shanter Park starts at 12 pm.
