Saturday, April 11
GAME ONE
BREMERTON, WA – The Lower Columbia College Red Devils opened their league doubleheader in dominant fashion Saturday, erupting for runs in multiple innings to cruise past the Olympic College Rangers 15-4 at the Olympic campus.

The Red Devils wasted no time setting the tone, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Langan Naylor got things started by getting hit by a pitch, advanced on a wild pitch, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sam Davidson, and scored on an RBI single from Jace Nagler. Harlan Rowe followed with a single, and Brayden Oram drove them both in with another single, staking LCC to an early 3-0 lead.

After a scoreless second, Lower Columbia blew the game wide open in the third inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs. The rally featured four hits, three walks, a hit batter, and benefited from a costly Olympic error. Key hits included an RBI double by Davidson that cleared the bases, driving in three, and an RBI double by Nagler that brought Davidson home. When the dust settled, LCC held a commanding 10-0 advantage.

The Devils added a single run in the fifth on Nagler's second RBI double of the game, scoring Davidson who had led off the inning with a single. They tacked on four more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on walks, hit batters, and another Olympic error. RBI contributions in the frame came from Naylor (reaching on an error), Garrett Cooper (bases-loaded walk), and Matt Bailey (hit by pitch with bases loaded).

On the mound, starter Chayse Oxborrow was sharp for the Red Devils. He pitched four shutout innings, scattering just three hits and striking out three without issuing a walk to earn the win. The bullpen saw action, with Aaden Anderson finishing the game strongly, throwing the final two innings and allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out one and picking off a runner. The only blemish for LCC pitching came in the bottom of the sixth when Olympic managed to score four runs off reliever Wyatt Macdonald.

Offensively, the Red Devils collected 10 hits, drew 7 walks, and were hit by pitches 6 times, putting constant pressure on the Rangers' defense, which committed 4 errors. Jace Nagler led the hit parade, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and 3 RBIs before being subbed out. Sam Davidson was a major contributor, going 2-for-3 with a double, 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, a walk, a hit by pitch, and a stolen base. Leadoff hitter Langan Naylor scored three times after reaching base via a hit, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Brayden Oram also chipped in with 2 RBIs.

Defensively, the Red Devils played a clean game with zero errors and turned three double plays.

Olympic starter Itsuki Fukuda took the loss, surrendering 10 runs (9 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks in just 3 innings of work.

GAME TWO
Red Devils showcased stellar pitching in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader, stifling the Rangers' bats to secure a 3-1 victory and complete a sweep on the road.

Following an offensive explosion in game one, the Red Devils leaned on starter Kaden Larson and reliever Matthew Kosderka in game two. Larson was outstanding over five innings, scattering just two hits and allowing only one unearned run. He walked one, struck out two, and hit two batters, navigating traffic efficiently to earn the win. Kosderka entered in the sixth and slammed the door, pitching two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out two and hitting one batter to pick up the save. The duo combined to limit the Rangers to just three hits all game.

The Red Devils' offense, while quieter than in the opener, manufactured enough runs for the victory. LCC scratched across the first run in the top of the third inning. Matthew Bailey drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Mattern, and came around to score on a clutch RBI double down the line by Langan Naylor.

Lower Columbia added two crucial insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning without the benefit of an RBI hit. Owen Cummins led off with a single, followed by another single from Garrett Cooper. After Bailey was hit by a pitch to load the bases, the Red Devils capitalized on Olympic miscues. Cummins scampered home on a passed ball, and Cooper followed suit shortly after on another passed ball, pushing the LCC lead to 3-1.

Despite only collecting three hits – the singles by Cummins and Cooper, and Naylor's RBI double – the Red Devils showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks and getting hit by pitches three times. They were also active on the basepaths with three stolen bases.

While the pitching was dominant, the Red Devils weren't perfect defensively, committing two errors, one of which led to Olympic's lone unearned run in the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Matt Bailey was also charged with three passed balls. LCC stranded nine runners on base throughout the contest.

Olympic starter Nicho Crowley pitched six innings, allowing three runs (only one earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out three, taking the tough-luck loss for the Rangers.

The 3-1 victory capped off a successful day for Lower Columbia, securing two important league wins on the road against the Rangers.

Sunday, April 13
GAME ONE
LONGVIEW, WA – Back on their home turf at David Story Field, the Lower Columbia Red Devils kept their momentum rolling, securing a series victory over the Olympic College Rangers with a solid 4-2 win on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils employed a strategy of consistent offense, plating single runs in each of the first three innings. Langan Naylor got LCC on the board in the first, reaching on an error by the pitcher after singling and eventually scoring on an RBI single by Harlan Rowe. In the second inning, Matt Bailey reached via fielder's choice and later crossed the plate on an RBI single from Naylor. Jace Nagler, after being hit by a pitch to lead off the third, came around to score on an RBI single by Owen Cummins, giving the Devils an early 3-1 cushion.

Olympic chipped away with single runs in the second and fifth innings, but Lower Columbia's pitching kept the Rangers largely in check. Starter Kaden Harris battled through six innings for the Red Devils, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while striking out three and walking two. Harris picked up the win, his record improving to 7-0 with the team's continued success.

Lower Columbia added a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Brayden Oram led off with a single, stole second base, and was driven home on a two-out RBI single by Garrett Cooper, extending the lead to 4-2.

That was more than enough for reliever Dante Santulli, who was absolutely dominant out of the bullpen. Santulli entered in the seventh inning and retired all nine batters he faced over the final three frames, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out two to earn the save and preserve the victory.

Offensively, LCC collected seven hits, led by Naylor who went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Rowe, Cummins, Cooper, Oram, and Blake Mattern each added singles. Cooper and Cummins also drew walks, contributing to baserunners throughout the game. The Devils executed well situationally, laying down three successful sacrifice bunts.

The defense was solid behind the pitching staff, committing only one error.

Olympic starter Silas Stenerson pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and took the loss. The Rangers managed only four hits against the effective LCC pitching tandem.

GAME TWO
The Lower Columbia Red Devils put an exclamation point on their weekend series against Olympic College, overwhelming the visiting Rangers 12-0 in a five-inning, run-rule shortened victory on Sunday afternoon at David Story Field. The win capped a perfect 4-0 sweep for LCC.

Unlike the previous tighter contests, the Red Devils' offense exploded from the start and never let up, fueled by exceptional patience at the plate and timely hitting. LCC jumped on Olympic starter Ben Spitzer for four runs in the bottom of the first inning before he could record the third out. The onslaught continued with a run in the second, two more in the third, and a five-run outburst in the fourth to enforce the run rule.

While collecting only seven hits, the Red Devils hitters worked counts masterfully, drawing an incredible 11 walks and getting hit by pitches 3 times against four different Ranger pitchers. Harlan Rowe led the charge, going 2-for-2 with a walk, a sacrifice fly, a run scored, and 2 RBIs. Brayden Oram was perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double, 2 walks, an RBI, and a run scored.

Several players contributed key RBIs: Owen Cummins, Garrett Cooper, Matt Bailey, and Blake Mattern each drove in a run via walk or hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded in the first inning. Rowe added his RBIs later, pinch-hitter Aiden Horsley delivered a two-run single in the fourth, and pinch-hitter Easton Marshall capped the scoring with an RBI single in the fourth as well. Nine different Red Devils scored runs in the balanced attack.

On the mound, three LCC pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout. Starter Quinn Hubbs set the tone, throwing three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out one to earn the win. Stephen Hammergre followed with a scoreless inning of relief, striking out two, and Ryan McClaskey finished the job with a scoreless fifth inning, striking out one. The staff effectively scattered five hits and four walks over the five innings.

Olympic could not generate any offense and struggled mightily on the mound. Their pitching staff issued 11 walks and 3 hit batters in just four innings of work, while their defense committed two errors.

Played under sunny skies with temperatures around 62 degrees, the quick 1 hour and 40-minute contest ended Lower Columbia's successful weekend on a high note, improving their already impressive record to 12-0 in league, 34-2 overall.

Next up for Devils baseball is their perennial rivals the Clark College Penguins. LCC will be at Clark (Vancouver, WA) on Friday, April 18 for a 1:00 pm double header. Then on Saturday, April 19, the Devils are back on the home turf for 12:00 pm double header vs the Penguins.