LEWISTON, Idaho - Four Lewis-Clark State College pitchers combined on a five-hitter to help the Warriors wrap up play in the Guarding Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Tournament with a 3-1 win over the University of British Columbia at LCSC's Harris Field on Sunday.

 

The Warriors won the tournament title by going 4-0 in the five-team tournament. Western Oregon, which defeated UBC 9-7 on Sunday, finished second with a 3-1 mark, while St. Martin's went 2-2, Montana State-Billings 1-3, and UBC 0-4. St. Martin's defeated MSU-Billings 8-4 on Sunday.

 

LCSC, 10-2 overall, collected 11 hits on the day, but had a hard time manufacturing runs because it hit into five doubleplays, just one off the school record in a game.

 

Still, the Warrior pitching staff made it a moot point. Nick Masters pitched the first three innings and allowed two hits, including a solo home to Scott Webster in the third inning. Brian Bird allowed one hit with two strikeouts in the fourth, while Max Hibbs allowed one hit in his two innings with a strikeout. Michael Guerrero pitched the final three innings and allowed one hit, but struck out six. In all, LCSC pitchers struck out 12 in the game.

 

Hibbs picked up the victory to move to 1-0 on the season, while Guerrero earned his first save of the year.

 

After Webster's home run, the Warriors tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ikaika Lester started the rally with a single and moved to second on a single by Zach Adam.  After Brian Ward grounded into a doubleplay to move Lester to third, Kyle Green doubled down the right-field line to score Lester.

 

The Warriors scored two runs in the fifth for the 3-1 final. Josh Ashenbrenner singled and Nic Benton followed with a bunt. Benton beat a wide throw to first base to get credit for a single, and moved to third while Ashenbrenner scored on the errant throw. Brent Wyatt's sacrifice fly to right scored Benton.

 

UBC only had four baserunners in the final four innings and one was eliminated on a doubleplay.

 

Adam, the Warriors' designated hitter, picked up three hits in the game, while Benton and Ashenbrenner had two each.

 

UBC, which falls to 3-7 overall, was led by Nic Lendvoy's three hits.

 

Former Warrior Ashton Florko pitched the final two innings for UBC and allowed a hit and three walks, but struck out two.

 

LCSC will now hit the road for the first time this season as the Warriors trek to Seattle to face the University of Washington at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.  LCSC then plays host to Gonzaga next Sunday at 2 p.m. at Harris Field.