Deja Vu All Over Again, Linn-Benton Repeat as NWAC Champions

LONGVIEW, Wash. - Linn-Benton baseball followed a familiar path to their second consecutive NWAC title, winning two elimination games on Championship Monday. The Roadrunners capped off an incredible season by defeating Spokane Community College 2-0, then defeating Tacoma Community College 3-2 in extra innings.This title marks the second consecutive baseball championship for the Roadrunners (35-11-1, 26-10 NWAC South) and their third title in four years.

Game 1: Behind yet another outstanding performance from Starting Pitcher Connor Mendez, Linn-Benton used timely hitting and relied on their ace to eliminate Spokane Community College (31-21, 21-7 NWAC East). The Roadrunners were the designated home team for both contests and scored in the bottom of the first inning as Kolten Lindstrom would hit a single then score on a Jake Dodge single to make it 1-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning Jake Holmes hit a double and then scored on a Chase Logan single to make it 2-0.

Mendez, the tournament MVP, was dominant again in throwing 8.2 innings allowing zero runs and just three hits while striking out five batters. Jake Von Lubken came on to record the final out and the save with an emphatic strikeout, setting up a rematch against Tacoma Community College. The Titans (29-18, 17-7 NWAC West) had earlier defeated Linn-Benton in the tournament 7-4.

Game 2: Tacoma would strike first, scoring in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 advantage. Linn-Benton would struggle to get the bats going and fell behind 2-0 in the top of the seventh inning as Tacoma scored another run. However, in the bottom of the eighth inning the Roadrunners would hit their stride. 

Andrew Demianew was hit by a pitch, then a Bryant Starr double would put runners at second and third. Dodge would come up clutch with an RBI single to score Demianew and advance Starr to third base. Jackson Fera would send Starr across home plate with a sacrifice fly to even the score at 2-2. After a scoreless ninth inning the Roadrunners set the stage for a dramatic comeback.

With two one out in the top of the tenth inning and runners on first and second, Tacoma's Emmett Weichbrodt smashed a pitch into left field. The ball was heading over the fence until Demianew timed his jump perfectly and robbed what would have been a three-run homerun. Linn-Benton got out of the top half of the inning and Demianew led off the bottom of the tenth being hit by a pitch. Starr then laid down a terrific bunt that forced an error advancing Demianew to second base.

Dodge batted next and was also hit by a pitch to load the bases. Holmes would then step to the plate and Tacoma had a wild pitch get past the catcher, scoring Demianew from third and the title clinching comeback was complete. The Roadrunners were named champions in yet another extra inning walk off victory.

NWAC Baseball Championship All-Tournament Awards:

Most Valuable Player - Connor Mendez (Pitcher)

All-Tournament Infield - Brooks Avery

All-Tournament Outfield - Andrew Demianew

All-Tournament Pitcher - Brody McMullen

All-Tournament Relief Pitcher - Easton Corey