LCC baseball drops NWAC tournament opener

Lower Columbia baseball couldn't capitalize on its big chances and fell to Edmonds 4-2 in the opening round of the NWAC Championship tournament Thursday at David Story Field in Longview.

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The Tritons hit a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning to go up 4-0. LCC countered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth as Sam Davidson scored on a wild pitch and Jaylen Kennedy hit an RBI grounder, but the Red Devils didn't score after that.

Lower Columbia baseball: Quinn Hubbs

Lower Columbia's Quinn Hubbs struck out 10 batters, but he gave up a grand slam and the Red Devils fell 4-2, dropping to the consolation bracket.

"You get multiple runs on one pitch, it's always really hard to overcome that," LCC coach Kurt Lupinski said. "I'm proud of our guys on staying in the fight. A lot of teams would let that destroy the momentum and never come back from that."

The Red Devils loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs, but the next three batters struck out.

"The big difference for me was not putting the ball in play enough with runners in scoring position," Lupinski said. "I give a ton of credit to their pitchers. They threw some electric arms at us."

Karsten Hansen hit a leadoff double in the eighth, but was caught stealing third base shortly after. Lupinski said he thought the third baseman should have been called for obstruction - which is when a fielder disrupts the runner's progress - during Hansen's steal attempt.

"In my opinion, they missed that call. But it's never one call that's gonna win or lose you a game," he said. "I was passionate about getting that runner in scoring position, and it felt like we were in a really close place to get some runs. Unfortunately, that one didn't go our way."

Hansen led LCC with two doubles and a single. Davidson and James Cote each hit singles.

Lower Columbia baseball: Karsten Hansen

Lower Columbia's Karsten Hansen bunts during a baseball game against Edmonds in the opening round of the NWAC Championship tournament on Thursday, May 21, at David Story Field in Longview. Hansen finished with two doubles and a single.

On the mound, Quinn Hubbs struck out 10 batters in 6 1/3 innings, but gave up six hits, including the grand slam. Dante Santulli came in for 2 2/3 innings of relief and had two strikeouts while surrendering two hits.

LCC (41-11) will get back to work quickly as the team will face Spokane in a loser-out game at 12:35 p.m. Friday back at David Story Field.

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"Tomorrow is a new day," Lupinski said. "We know that you win or you go home, so the goal becomes even easier."

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