LEWISTON, Idaho – Jackson Reed and Brandon Nguyen each drove in two runs and pitchers Evan Canfield and Jordan Lennartson limited a talented (RV) Keiser (Fla.) team at the plate to lead top-seeded No. 4 LC State Baseball to a win on Monday. The Warriors earned a 7-3 victory over the Seahawks to start the 2026 NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round, presented by Avista, and are back at Harris Field on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
LC State is 4-0 in postseason play and now 3-0 all-time against Keiser.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Brandon Nguyen gave LC State a quick 1-0 lead with a solo shot in the home half of the first inning, and Keiser answered with a run on three hits in the next half inning to tie the game. Starter Evan Canfield settled in over the next few innings on the mound and LC State regained control of the contest.
Jackson Reed drove the first pitch he saw in the second inning up the middle to get the Warrior offense going. Noah Weintraub was hit by a pitch and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. An RBI groundout by Prescott put LC State back in front and Cade Westerlund made it a 3-1 advantage with a base hit. An error on a ball hit by Payton Smith put runners on the corners and a fielder's choice put Nguyen on base and brought in the Warriors' fourth run.
Keiser struck for a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to cut the lead to 4-3, but LC State got a run back in the bottom of the fifth. Payton Smith, Nguyen and Jackson Jaha notched three straight singles to start the frame and push the advantage to 5-3.
The Warriors posted a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the seventh to stretch the lead to 7-3. Izzy Madariaga worked a walk and Bryce Johnson singled, then both came in to score on a double to right center by Reed.
Jordan Lennartson faced the minimum through the final two innings of the contest to close out the win for LC State.
STAT RECAP
Reed led the Warrior offense with a 3-for-4 day at the plate and both Reed and Nguyen drove in two runs.
Canfield tossed five innings to earn the win and Lennartson threw the final four frames. Both pitchers struck out three batters with one walk each.
UP NEXT
LC State faces third-seeded No. 21 Hope International (Calif.) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the winner's bracket of the NAIA Baseball Opening Round, presented by Avista.
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