Long Ball Sinks Cavs as LC State Rolls to 13-3 Win
MCMINNVILLE, Ore.—With five home runs, the defending NAIA national champion Lewis-Clark State Warriors gained a bit of revenge in dealing Concordia a 13-3 loss at Roy Helser Field on Friday.
With the win, No. 9-ranked LC State improved to 18-6 on the year while Concordia dropped to 11-21. Concordia defeated the Warriors 5-4 in the season opener for both squads.
In the top of the second, LCSC’s Matt Allen connected on a one-out solo home run to left center for the first hit and first run of the game.
In the bottom of the second, the Cavs loaded the bases with a single by Tommy Whalen followed by a pair of walks by Jimmy Rudig and Brennan Ingram. Odie Hollingshed hit a ball to first baseman Ben Ornales who fired to the catcher to get the lead out. In the next at bat, Mike Dickman, batting out of the ninth spot in the lineup, delivered with a two-out two-run double to right sender, sending Rudig and Ingram home for a 2-1 CU lead.
The Warriors wasted little time in regaining the lead with three runs on two hits in the top of the third to double-up the Cavaliers 4-2.
After a single to right by Josh Ashenbrenner, the Warriors placed runners on second and third with no outs by way of a deep Ornales drive to left which bounced off the glove of CU outfielder Odie Hollingshed. LCSC would immediately take advantage of the miscue with a home run by Sean Halton to left center to give the Warriors a 7-2 advantage. Hollingshed would redeem the error with a diving grab after a drive by Bryson Tajiri to save a pair of runs and end the frame.
The lead would prove to be more than enough as LCSC starter Tom Peale settled in after the second inning, only allowing one baserunner in the third, fourth and fifth innings combined.
The Warriors scored at least one run in each of the last four stanzas to take a 12-2 lead. Concordia’s Danny Brown belted a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth for the final score.
LC State outhit the Cavaliers 15-7 but was charged with three errors. Peale collected the win for the Warriors, lasting six innings before giving way to Stephen Foster who registered three-inning save.
Myles Stratton took the loss for CU, allowing four runs in three innings of work.
The Cavs return to action by hosting a Cascade Collegiate Conference doubleheader against The College of Idaho on Saturday. Opening pitch is set for noon at the University of Portland’s Joe Etzel Field.