Matt Baney

Most of the developments in Lewis-Clark State's 6-3 win over Bellevue were positive for the Warriors. Their defense turned a few dazzling plays, one of their pitchers made, possibly, a landmark performance and their batters showed impressive ... restraint.

But when will those batters locate a consistent stroke? L-C was asking that question when the Wednesday-afternoon game began -- and is still asking it this morning.

Despite swatting just five hits -- all of which came in the first three innings -- the Warriors beat their Nebraskan visitors for the second straight day.

Game three of these teams' six-date series will be tonight at 6. The entire set is taking place at Harris Field.

The Bruins, who used seven pitchers on Tuesday, cycled through four arms in this game. And once again, they were liberal with the free passes: Bellevue walked 11 batters and was called for two balks.

Four of the walks and both balks came during LCSC's four-run second. In fact, the rally included just one hit -- Jose Rodriguez's RBI single.

In the third, the Warriors (15-3) notched two more runs to go up 6-2. Designated hitter Miguel Padilla, who singled and advanced to third after Bruin left fielder Clint Stricker misplayed the ball, scored on a wild pitch.

But Padilla's hit ended up being L-C's last knock of the day. So while the Warriors let bad pitches whiz by, they didn't drive enough of the good ones.

"Again, we got pitches to hit," coach Ed Cheff said. "They've still got to get 27 outs. And in 27 outs, we got five hits."

Cheff was especially disappointed with the seventh inning. After Tyler Best and Brandon Morris started the inning with walks, L-C brought in three consecutive right-handed pinch-hitters to face Jason Cvejdlik, Bellevue's left-handed pitcher. Cvejdlik retired them in order.

Thanks to the Warriors' pitching, however, this wasn't a problem. Starter Carlos Fisher, a 6-foot-4 powerhouse, slogged through 63 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out five.

"We think that he's got a chance to be one of our starters," Cheff said of the junior transfer from Citrus Community College. "We think he's a seven-, eight-inning guy. He's got that type of strength and endurance. His arm's really whippy."

Derek Landavaso worked the final 2l innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.

"Coming off last weekend where we played a lot of games, two guys shut the door for us," said Best, L-C's senior catcher. "That helped us out a lot. It keeps out pitching staff (fresh), unlike Bellevue, since they've used a dozen guys."

The defense also clamped down on the Bruins. Best tagged out two runners at the plate, and third baseman Allen Balmer made four throwouts and caught a smoking liner in the eighth.

Balmer's best play came in the sixth, when he backhanded a grounder as it bounded down the foul line. The sophomore from Lewiston gathered in the ball and gunned to first for the out.

"There's not too many college third basemen who can make those five plays in one night," Cheff said. "Every type of play you want to make, he made them all."