Linn-Benton Starts Hot, Finishes Strong to Defeat Lower Columbia

LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Linn-Benton baseball team got on the scoreboard early and held on late to secure a 4-2 win against Lower Columbia College. While the offense asserted themselves from the start, it was Starting Pitcher Brody McMullen who shined on the mound.

The Roadrunners (31-10-1, 26-10 NWAC South) were the designated home team and got the bats going in the bottom of the second inning. After a Jake Holmes single, Brooks Avery would get on base with a single that advanced Holmes to third base. With runners on the corners, Conner Boyd hit an RBI single that scored Holmes and moved Avery to second base. Kolten Lindstrom stepped to plate and sent a ball deep into the outfield for a bases clearing triple that scored Avery and Boyd to give Linn-Benton a 3-0 lead.

McMullen was outstanding, going eight innings allowing just two runs and four hits. In the seventh inning the Linn-Benton offense would tack on another run as Bryant Starr hit a triple, then Jackson Fera reached base on a defensive error that allowed Starr to score. Lower Columbia (44-5, 22-2 NWAC West) would not go away as they looked to rally late with two runs in the eighth inning.

Leading 4-2 heading into the top of the ninth the Roadrunners called on Easton Corey to collect the final three outs and the save which he did effectively. McMullen was credited with the win. The Roadrunners advance to game 11 and will face Tacoma Community College. That game will be played Saturday, May 24 with a 5:35 PM start time.