LEWISTON, Idaho – A big first inning for the British Columbia Thunderbirds did not hinder the Warrior offense in Sunday's series finale. The No. 21 Lewis-Clark State Baseball team (7-5, 2-2) fired back with a potent offense to take game four 15-7 over UBC (6-6, 2-2). Seniors Brock Ephan and Dalton Harum each went deep in the contest as LC State collected 18 hits. Jack Johnson stretched his hitting streak to 12 after going 4-for-6.
"We came out with a little bit better energy today," coach Jake Taylor said. "I like the way we responded in the third to tie it up, and we had a pretty strong offensive performance from then on out. Cameron Smith did a great job coming in and throwing up zeros for a while."
UBC struck for three in the first off of starter Alec Holmes. After taking over in the first, Smith sat the Thunderbirds down in order in the second, third and fourth.
LC State made it a brand new ballgame in the bottom of the third, tying the game 3-3. Zach Needham led off with a double and was lifted for courtesy runner Coy Stout. Harum was hit by a pitch and a double by A.J. Davis brought in a run. Johnson singled to bring in two more and tie the game.
Ephan led the home half of the fourth off with a single, then took second when Riley Way walked. A passed ball moved both into scoring, and a single by Needham plated a run. A double down the left field line by Harum brought in one to put the Warriors in front 5-3.
UBC answered with two in the top of the fifth, but the Warriors responded with five more runs. Johnson singled to open the Warriors' half of the inning and took second in a wild pitch. Ephan drew a walk and a single by Luke White brought in Johnson. Way and Jack Sheward notched back-to-back triples, bringing the score to 10-5.
A Thunderbird run in the top of the sixth was answered by Ephan when he launched a ball over the wall in left center and onto a nearby building. Aidan Nagle doubled to put a runner on, making Ephan's big fly a two-run shot. LC led 12-6 after six.
Ephan got things going in the bottom of the eighth with a single before moving to third on a double to right center by White. Way made it 13-6 with a sacrifice fly. Harum sent a blast to left center to increase the commanding lead to 15-6.
Heavy rains rolled in in the top of the ninth, making playing conditions difficult. The Warriors allowed a run but closed the door at 15-7.
Johnson stretched his hitting streak to 12 games. He has hit safely in every game this season, including a 4-for-6 performance in this afternoon's victory. Ephan and Needham each tallied three hits on the day, while Way and Harum each knocked in three.
"We had to change our approach," Ephan said. "A lot of guys were pulling the ball and hitting weak-side ground balls, but today we focused and hit the ball hard up the middle and it paid off."
Ephan's home run was his first of the season at home and third overall.
"It felt good," Ephan said. "In front if the home crowd, you've got to love it."
On the mound, Smith worked 4.1 innings in relief and allowed one earned run. He struck out two. Greg Blackman tossed 2.1 and struck out three, giving up his run of the season, and earned the win, and Cole Acosta threw the final two.
The Warriors host the College of Idaho next weekend for a four-game series beginning on Friday.
