(Coos Bay, OR) -- Lower Columbia softball's annual trek to Coos Bay is always a grind of a road trip. It's five hours on a bus to play Southwestern Oregon, an NWAC perennial softball power.
 
All that did not faze the Red Devils on Wednesday on the Oregon coast, sweeping the Lakers 3-2 and 8-1. LCC has now won five consecutive games on the SWOC turf, going back to the 2024 season.
 
The pitching was the story, as sophomores Ava Eib and Zoey Hughes both pitched complete games, each allowing just one earned run.
 
The third-ranked Red Devils have won 14 straight to extend their overall record to 19-2. LCC is now 10-0 in NWAC South Region play and in first place, one game ahead of Mt. Hood.
 
Next up is a Friday home doubleheader with Grays Harbor. First pitch is at 3:00 pm at Heerensperger Field at Tam "O Shanter Park in Kelso.
 
WEDNESDAY'S RECAP:
 
Game one: Lower Columbia 3, Southwestern Oregon 2: LCC scored two runs in the first inning and added another in the second and that would stand up for Eib. Two of the runs came in on perfectly-executed double steals with runners on the corners.
 
Eib gave up an unearned run in the first inning and the Lakers got a solo home run in the second inning. Tied 3-2 after two innings, the game became a pitcher's duel between Eib and SWOC standout Hadley Hudson.
 
From the third inning on, Eib gave up just one more hit, finishing with a two-hitter with nine Ks and two walks. Her game-ending strikeout of the Lakers' leadoff hitter put a big exclamation point on the win.
 
Elysa Nash had two hits to lead the Red Devil offense, including a double. Avery Garvey added a double and drove in a run with a ground out.
 
Game two: Lower Columbia 8, Southwestern Oregon 1: Gabi Silveria hit the first pitch of the game out of the park, her 10^th of the season, and the Devils never relinquished that early lead.
 
Lower Columbia scored five runs in the third inning to break the game open. Dani Ambriz had an RBI single to start the rally. Kendall Humphrey followed with an apparent grand slam, which turned into a long sacrifice fly when the SWOC right fielder leaped above the fence to make the catch.
 
Two batters later Emma Langsi belted a three-run shot and the Devils had more than enough support for Hughes, who once again dominated in the circle. The sophomore righty scattered eight hits, walked one and fanned six Laker hitters.
 
Langsi was 3-4 with three RBI, Silveria 2-5 with two RBI and Seyah Lindersmith had two hits.