Wright rebounds in
style; LCSC pitcher lands in immediate trouble,
but eventually earns victory
By JIM BROWITT
of the Tribune
Kyle Wright was bound to
suffer by comparison. He relieved a teammate who
didn't really need relief, assuming a no-hitter,
albeit one only two innings along.
Naturally, he surrendered a single to the
first batter he faced.
Albertson picked up two more hits and scored
twice before the junior right-hander settled in,
or more accurately took command.
Ultimately transforming a shaky appearance
into a sturdy six-inning stint, Wright
established the tone of Lewis-Clark State's 9-2
victory Friday afternoon.
This served as the Warriors' first date in
the Guardian Tournament, a five-team, 10-game
event that runs through Sunday at Harris Field.
Four games are on tap today, with the middle
two featuring the host team. L-C will play
British Columbia at noon and Oregon Tech at
approximately 3 p.m.
Earlier Friday, Oregon Tech thumped Eastern
Oregon 17-7, then Eastern Oregon edged British
Columbia 5-3.
Wright, one among a handful of newcomers
expected to fortify L-C's pitching staff, was
initially overshadowed Friday by a more
distinguished transfer. At the start of the
third inning he replaced Brad Davis, the
intriguing senior left-hander who yielded nada
over 26 pitches while striking out three in his
Warrior debut.
An eagerness to get Wright innings and to
protect Davis' sore left elbow -- although he
felt no discomfort Friday -- prompted L-C coach
Ed Cheff to make the change.
"We don't want to push (Davis) because he's a
guy we're going to be depending on," Cheff said.
"But we're thinking (Wright) might be a starter
too. He was real good today. He just didn't
start off all that sharp."
With L-C up 6-0, Sage Kendell led off the
Albertson third with a single off Wright, and
Zach Park followed in kind. The next batter,
Jake McGrady, reached when Warrior third baseman
Allen Balmer bobbled his grounder, then Greg
Stalling singled to score Kendall. The ensuing
Coyote hitter, Ren Lombardo grounded into a
double play, scoring Park.
After Pat Burke opened the Albertson fourth
with a single, Wright retired the next nine
batters, four by way of strikeouts. Nic Florence
broke the string with a single to lead off the
seventh, then Wright sat down the final six
Coyotes he faced; Ben Newton pitched the ninth
for L-C.
"His splitter (split-finger fastball) is a
real weapon, and it's been awhile since we had a
guy we could say that about," Cheff said of
Wright, who threw 53 of his 68 pitches for
strikes. "We really like what he brings us."
Cheff was likewise enthused by his batters'
performance. The Warriors, 4-1, amassed a
season-high 14 hits, 10 coming off Coyote
starter Taylor Blair, and got three hits and
four RBI from Josh Celigoy. The senior first
baseman had a two-run single in the first inning
and RBI singles in the second and sixth innings
-- all coming with two down.
"What (the Warriors) did better than us is
hit in key situations," said Albertson coach
Shawn Humberger, whose team, 1-1, was playing
for the first time in 17 days due to a series of
weather-caused cancellations. "They pitched
well, and we made a couple mistakes early, but
the biggest difference is they were tougher
outs."
WARRIOR NOTES -- Center fielder Joey Dyche,
considered questionable this weekend because of
a lower-leg injury that Cheff fears may be a
stress fracture, tripled to lead off the second.
Dyche scored when the throw from the outfield
got away from third baseman Nate Freese. ...
Balmer got two hits, including his first as a
right-handed batter. Balmer, who learned to
switch-hit during the offseason, lined a double
down the third-base line in the sixth inning off
the third of four pitchers Albertson used,
left-hander Carson Taysom.
Click
Here for Box Score of LCSC vs Albertson
Oregon Tech 17, E. Oregon 7
The Owls (2-1) rang up 14 hits and scored
five runs in both the second and sixth innings.
Ryan Wilson and Derek Bodeen drove in three
runs apiece for Oregon Tech.
Eastern Oregon 000 013 03-- 7 9 2
Oregon Tech 353 105 0x--17 14 5
Champlain, Buker (3), Windle (6), Owens (7)
and Johnston, Mitchell. Bailey, Parnell (6) and
Mortenson, Mecum.
W -- Bailey (1-0). L -- Champlain (0-2).
Eastern Oregon hits -- Farrell (2B), Melum 3,
Shaffer, Fore 2, Bigelow, McGee.
Oregon Tech hits -- Norris 2, Mortenson,
Wilson 3 (2B), Baca, Bodeen 2, Garrett (HR),
Guthrie 2 (2B), Gelhardt 2, Mauch.
E. Oregon 5, British Columbia 3
The Mountaineers (2-4) scored all five of
their runs in the fifth inning, combining five
hits with two errors by the Thunderbirds
(2-6-1).
Ryan Bigelow had two hits, including a
two-run single in the fifth.
Eastern Oregon 000 050 000--5 12 2
British Columbia 010 002 000--3 10 2
Turner, Evans (5) and Mitchell. Galbraith,
McNiven (3), Pasquali (9) and Kornberger.
W -- Turner (1-1). L -- McNiven (0-1). S --
Evans (1).
Eastern Oregon hits -- Carpenter, Melum,
Shaffer 2, Johnston, Fore, Brulotte 2, Bigelow
2, Mitchell (2B), McGee.
British Columbia hits -- Capone, Willson,
Tobin, Janes, Campbell (2B), Murray 2, Smyth3,
Vynne.
------
Browitt may be contacted at jbrowitt@lmtribune.com
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