Shutout streak reaches three; LCSC drubs Western Baptist 11-0, 16-0 in doubleheader sweep
Copyright of The Lewiston Morning Tribune

After his Lewis-Clark State baseball team completed its third consecutive shutout, Ed Cheff wasn't sure how that fete rated historically. As it turns out, the Warriors have had only one other such three-game stretch in Cheff's previous 28 seasons.

While he wasn't aware of that trivia, "I know that's the first time we've ever pitched 12 guys in three games -- and they all pitched well," Cheff said.

L-C wrapped its one-sided series with Western Baptist on Saturday at Harris Field with wins of 11-0 and 16-0. Combined with a 20-0 blowout on Friday, LCSC outscored the visitors from Salem, Ore., 47-0 and outhit them 55-14.

L-C used a preplanned pitching rotation -- something it often does in early-season outings -- sending out four hurlers in all three games. None of them gave up more than three hits and none of them walked more than one batter.

This high-water mark for the pitching staff came after its poor showings last week against Washington State and Portland.

"It's really hard to make too much of this; you can't get super-excited about this," Cheff said. "But it's hard to throw up 27 shutout innings against anybody. Each guy went out and pitched well, and we didn't hardly walk anybody."

In Saturday's opener, Toshi Sasa starting the scoring with a fourth-inning solo homer. The Warriors, up 5-0, then exploded for six runs in the eighth, as Allen Balmer drove in two runs with a double.

Sal Aguilar started the game and worked three perfect innings. The right-handed senior collected four strikeouts.

LCSC wasted no time in the second contest, rattling off five runs in the opening inning. Dan Morrow provided a two-run, two-out double.

Center fielder Joey Dyche narrowly extended his hitting streak to 12 games, cracking a single to left field in the eighth. Morrow, Balmer, Justin Fuller and Josh Celigoy all collected three hits apiece.

Nick Colborn, who started on the mound, collected three strikeouts and allowed three hits in three innings. He picked up his second win of the season.

The Warriors (11-4) will make their first road trip of the season this week, traveling to face California Baptist and Azusa Pacific. Beginning Tuesday, L-C will play five games in five days.

"We're not going to have anybody start twice in the California trip, because it wouldn't be enough rest," Cheff said. "... We're going to have five starters for that trip, and then we'll have to be decent out of the bullpen. That kind of a trip is almost a 10-man thing, even if you extend guys."