LEWISTON, Idaho – The Warriors tied the LC record for most runs scored in the team's last at bat to win a game with a huge six-run ninth on Friday. LC State matched the mark set in 1999 to rally back and defeat the University of British Columbia 9-8 in the Cascade Conference opener. The Warriors trailed 8-3 heading into bottom of the ninth and used five hits and four free passes to complete the comeback.
The victory moves LC State to 30-1 on the season and pushes the longest active winning streak in college baseball to 24 games. The Warriors are 1-0 in Cascade Conference play.
Trent Sellers struck out the first two batters of the game before a solo shot by UBC's Ty Penner put the Thunderbirds up 1-0. Another strikeout by the LC Starter limited the damage in the inning.
The Warriors responded with three straight hits in the home half of the first.
Riley Way ripped the first pitch he saw back up the middle, and hits by
A.J. Davis and
Aidan Nagle loaded the bases. A groundout by
Sam Linscott plated Way to tie the game.
After a walk to the leadoff walk, Sellers fanned a batter before a double play turned by Way, Davis and
Luke White ended the top of the second quickly.
The score remained stagnant until UBC struck for four runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-1 lead over the Warriors. LC answered with a pair in the home half of the inning on back-to-back doubles by Davis and Nagle to bring in one run. A base hit by White cut the difference to two.
The Thunderbirds added on in the next half inning with a two-run shot by Penner. His second homer of the contest made it 7-3. LC miscues brought in one more in the ninth.
The Warriors mounted their comeback in the bottom of the ninth, starting with three straight singles by
Justin Mazzone,
Jack Sheward and
Coy Stout. Courtesy runner
Joe Canty scored on the hit by Stout and Way walked to load the bases before a single into right by Davis brought in a pair to make it a two-run game.
Nagle followed with a double down the right field line to cut the deficit to one.
Sam Linscott was intentionally walked to load the bases, and White drew another free pass to tie the game.
Matt James wore of pitch off the wrist to bring in the game-winning run.
Davis and Nagle led the offense with three hits each, and Stout had two. Davis, Nagle and White each drove in two runs.
Warrior pitching combined for 12 strikeouts, with six by Sellers, five from
Greg Blackman and one by winning pitcher
Joe Ball. Three of the eight runs surrendered were unearned. LC walked only one batter.
The series with UBC continues with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free set of the 2022 LC State Baseball cards, and Denny Grubb will be honored in between games with the dedicating of the Denny Grubb Press Box.
Stay up to date on all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
