LEWISTON, Idaho – The Lewis-Clark State Warriors (9-2, 1-0) opened NAIA West conference play Friday with a 10-1 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds (7-10, 2-2) at Harris Field Friday afternoon.
Warrior pitchers held UBC to just two hits while clinging to a 3-1 lead through eight innings when the Warrior bats came alive.
LC starting pitcher Justin Hammergren had a no-hitter into the sixth when UBC got its only hit off him – a
Lucas Soper one out single that scored
Jake Lanferman from third. Hammergren picked up the win, striking out seven and walking three. He gave way to Joseph Riley who pitched the final three innings, and also allowed just one hit to earn his first save of the year.
Raymond Pedrina started the LC scoring with a leadoff home run in the first inning, and Matt Thompson and Makana Victorine added RBI singles to give the Warriors a 3-0 advantage.
The Warriors entered the eighth inning leading 3-1 but scored seven runs in the frame.
After UBC changed pitchers to start the inning, LC jumped on two Thunderbird relievers for six hits, and were issued three walks with one hit batter. Riley Way's bases loaded walk brought in the first LC run of the inning and Pedrina followed with a two-run single. Joey Parente then knocked in a Warrior with a single and Kasey Bailey followed with a sacrifice fly to score Pedrina from third.
LC's Mason Verge, who entered the game as a pinch runner earlier in the inning, finished the scoring with a two-run double. In all, the Warriors sent 13 men to the plate in the inning.
Pedrina led LC with three RBI, and Verge added two. Tyler McDowell and Victorinie each had two hits.
UBC starting pitcher
Niall Windeler had a strong outing allowing three runs on five hits through seven full innings while striking out five, but the sophomore was tagged with his first loss of the season.
The 'Birds and Warriors will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 12:00 p.m. PT before closing out the series Sunday at 12:00 p.m. PT, all at Lewiston's Harris Field.
