LCC baseball advances to final day of NWAC tournament

Lower Columbia baseball came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat Everett 6-5 on Sunday in the NWAC tournament.

The Red Devils advanced to the final day of the tournament on Monday, after The Daily News deadline.

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The Trojans scored 2 runs in the first inning on an RBI grounder and an RBI single. They then hit a 2-run homer in the second to put LCC in a 4-0 hole. However, the Red Devils turned things around in the third and took the lead after scoring 5 runs. Jaylen Kennedy and Martyn Hernandez each hit 2-run doubles, the latter of which tied the game. Shortly after, Harlan Rowe hit an RBI double to put LCC on top 5-4.

LCC baseball: Jaylen Kennedy

LCC's Jaylen Kennedy swings hit bat during an NWAC tournament game against Everett on Sunday, May 24, at David Story Field in Longview. Kennedy hit a 2-run double during the game and finished with two hits and two RBIs.

The Red Devils added to their lead in the fifth when Kennedy scored on a wild pitch. The Trojans hit another home run in the eighth to pull within 1, but the Red Devils closed out the game in the ninth.

"It's just another incredible example of the 'Never Die' mentality," LCC coach Kurt Lupinski said. "You never know what pitch will win or lose you the game, and that's why you have to stay locked in every pitch."

Rowe had another double and added a single in the game to the lead the Red Devils with three hits at the plate. Keagan Kelly also hit a double while Kennedy and Hernandez each hit singles on of their RBI doubles. Sam Davidson singled in the contest as well.

Justin Fuller pitched for seven innings, striking out seven batters while giving away seven hits and 4 earned runs to pick up the win. Matthew Kosderka came in for two innings of relief work and generated five strikeouts while only giving away one hit to earn the save.

LCC baseball: Matthew Kosderka

LCC's Matthew Kosderka throws a pitch during an NWAC tournament game against Everett on Sunday, May 24, at David Story Field in Longview. Kosderka pitched for the final two innings and generated five strikeouts while only giving away one hit to earn the save.

"Anytime Kosderka goes out there, we're so confident that we're going to get the win," Lupinski said. "Justin Fuller also needs to get some credit. He did not start the game the way he wanted to. We got down 4-0, (but) he's able to go pitch into that eighth inning, and that was incredible for us. We needed it."

The Red Devils (42-11) will face the winner of Lane and Linn-Benton at noon on Monday. They'll have to win that game and the next one as well to take home the NWAC championship.

"A better start would be helpful," Lupinski said. "We've been starting a little slower, for as good a team as we are, for whatever reason in this tournament. We need to make it go our way early in this next game, and I think that would help us so much."

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 4:29 AM.