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LBCC wins first NWAACC game since ‘95

chris_kelley
The Commuter

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Jake Rasmussen narrowly avoids the tag at third from Seth Anderson of Wenatchee Valley. Rasmussen was a pinch runner for Colt Savage in the 8th inning. (Below hitting) Blaine Goodwin was named to the Second Team Outfield South All-Star team last week. Goodwin was combined 4-7 with 3 RBI’s in LBCC’s final two games. (Below throwing) Trevor Smith was a triple threat this year, helping with his defense, offense and pitching. Smith was named First Team All South Relief Pitcher, with an NWAACC best 14 saves. (Photos by Chris Kelley)

LONGVIEW, Wash.—The Roadrunners began their second-straight 2008 NWAACC tournament against No. 2 ranked Edmonds, the top seed in the North.

Linn-Benton vs. Edmonds Thursday LBCC was delayed nearly two hours from the previous game between South No. 1 Mt. Hood and North No. 2 Skagit Valley going 12 innings with Mt. Hood winning 7-6.

South Region MVP Liam Baron was the starting pitcher for LBCC but was helped little with the poor defensive performance from the rest of his team in the 6-4 loss.

Edmonds scored two runs in the first inning off two LBCC errors and left two on base. In the third inning it was the same theme, with Edmonds scoring two more runs off two hits and two LBCC errors.

Linn-Benton finally got the offense rolling in the sixth inning after a 15 minute rain delay.

First Team South Region infielder Mitch Nelson led off the inning with a base hit to center field, but was later caught stealing at third. Whitten got on base with a single and Blaine Goodwin was hit by a pitch. After a Craig Dolmage walk, loading the bases with two outs, Shane Garrett had a two-RBI single up the middle making the score 5-2 Edmonds.

Baron responded by striking out the side for Edmonds in the bottom of the sixth and the defense played strong in the seventh inning after being held to no runs.

LBCC capitalized on two Edmonds errors in the eighth inning scoring in Tucker Whitten and Garrett, cutting the lead to 5-4.

After Edmonds scored one more run in the eighth, LBCC’s ninth inning rally was ended as Edmonds won 6-4. Baron received the loss and Tyler Rice got the win for Edmonds with Paris Shewey getting the save.

Wenatchee Valley vs. Linn-Benton On Friday, LBCC was scheduled to start at 12:35 p.m. against the No. 1 rank in the NWAACC, Wenatchee Valley, but was held back again nearly two hours from a rain delay in the previous game.

Wenatchee Valley was on short rest due to their game ending near 1 a.m. in the 3-2 loss against Lower Columbia.

Scott Allred was on the mound to start the game and helped by a better defensive stance from LBCC in the 4-2 win.

Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, LBCC left five runners on base on two hits and WVC had three hits and four left on base.

Alex Poff reached base on an error from shortstop Howerton scoring Dylan Durrell for the 1-0 lead through five innings.

WVC answered with two runs on three hits in the top of the sixth and after LBCC left the tying run on base in the bottom half, they fell behind 2-1.

The momentum began to swing for LBCC in the bottom of the seventh. After a single from Nelson and Kyle Kanaeholo, Alex Poff reached base on an error bringing up Blaine Goodwin with one out and bases loaded.

WVC brought in Derrick Chavez to pitch, hoping to end the rally.

“I knew he was going to come with a fastball to try and set the stage to try and blow it by me,” said Goodwin.

Goodwin singled through the left side of the infield, scoring Nelson and Kanaeholo was out on the throw at home.

“I was sitting straight fastball and turned on it and it got through to score the run,” said Goodwin.

First Team Pitcher in the South, who also leads the league in saves with 14, Trevor Smith came in to pitch in the eighth.

The “Sandman” threw the pillow at WVC, putting them to sleep at the plate, allowing Linn-Benton to come up in the bottom of the eighth and take the lead 4-2 on a Nelson two-RBI double, which ultimately decided the game.

“I was watching what Scott was throwing the guys [while playing third],” said Smith. “But we throw different pitches so I was trying to keep them off speed with other pitches.” Smith earned his second win of the season, throwing two scoreless innings allowing only one hit. Allred struck out five batters in his seven innings of pitching for the no-decision. Nelson was 2-5 with 2 RBI, Smith was 2-4 and Goodwin was 1-3 with an RBI.

It was the first win in the NWAACC tournament for LBCC since 1995.

“Getting that first hit out of the way shows we can hit these pitchers,” said Goodwin. “Just have to keep it rolling through-out [the tournament].” “It was a big win for us!” said Coach Greg Hawk. “Mitchell Nelson is as clutch a player as we have had all year and it was hit time. Allred did a great job getting keeping us in the game and Smith came in to pitch like he has all year.” Linn-Benton vs. Columbia Basin After scouting the Mt. Hood vs. Columbia Basin game that followed LBCC’s win, the coaches debated and chose Dan Maurer to start the game Saturday against Columbia Basin.

Through one and two-thirds, Maurer gave up two runs on five hits and was pulled after getting no help offensively. Chad Hanson came in relief and got the final out of the inning on a strike out.

It was until the top half of the fifth, already down 4-0, before LBCC got a hit in the game, which came from Garrett. He was followed by Smith, but both were left on base at the end of the inning.

In the seventh inning, Linn-Benton put a score up on the board when Brent Trask scored on a passed ball, making the score 4-1.

After holding two runners on base for CBCC in the bottom of the seventh, LBCC again came to the plate swinging hard, getting started off a Goodwin double to left field. Smith scored in Garrett on the single to make the score 4-2.

A three up-three down inning for CBCC brought LBCC up in the top of the ninth down 4-2. Rasmussen came in to pinch hit and struck out swinging, but reached first base on a wild pitch. Nelson hit a single followed by a walk by Kanaeholo loaded the bases for Poff. CBCC’s Bobby Jackson was brought into pitch for relief of Brad Rutherford with no outs and bases loaded.

A controversial interference call was given to Kanaeholo on his slide into second on Poff’s ground out which held the runners at second and third and gave LBCC two outs. The game and LBCC’s historic season ended 4-2 on a Goodwin strike out.

Hanson pitched a great game in relief, going six and a third innings, allowing two runs and had seven strike-outs. Maurer received the loss. Goodwin was 2-4 with 2 RBI’s, Smith was 2-3 with an RBI and Durrell was 1-3.

“I am extremely proud of you guys,” said Coach Hawk after the season ended. “We had one taken away from us today and there is nothing you can do about it. Live with it, learn from it and be bigger by it.” Linn-Benton NWAACC South Region All-Stars: Brent Trask, First Team Catcher. Mitchell Nelson, First Team Outfield. Kyle Kanaeholo, First Team Infield. Trevor Smith, First Team Relief Pitcher. Blaine Goodwin and Craig Dolmage, Second Team Outfield. Alex Poff, Second Team Utility. Scott Allred, Second Team Pitcher.

Liam Baron, MVP. Greg Hawk, Co-Coach of the year.

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