McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Josh Ashenbrenner’s two-run double with two outs in the top of the eighth inning broke a 6-6 tie and helped the Lewis-Clark State College baseball team snap Linfield College’s 16-game win streak with an 8-6 win on Wednesday.
The Warriors, ranked ninth in the NAIA, improved to 17-6 with its sixth straight win while Linfield, ranked No. 11 in NCAA Division III, falls to 20-4 overall.
LCSC entered the eighth inning trailing 6-4, but used five hits to produce four runs and claim the win. The contest was the first of five straight road games for the Warriors.
The Warriors led 3-0 after two innings, but Linfield rallied for three runs in the fourth for a 4-3 lead and then two runs in the seventh to go up 6-4.
LCSC was its own worst enemy at times, committing four errors in the game, but out-hit Linfield 11-9.
Ashenbrenner, a junior who played third base on Wednesday, led the Warriors with three RBI while shortstop Danny Anguiano drove in two runs, but had two errors in the game. Ashenbrenner finished with three hits and his double was the only extra-base hit for the Warriors. First baseman Ben Ornelas went 4-for-4 with three RBI.
The Warriors used three pitchers in the contest. Starter Nick Masters went 3.2 innings and allowed six hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Dustin Willis went the next three innings and gave up only one hit, but issued three walks and gave up two runs. Henry Buenrostro picked up the win to improve to 1-2 on the season by pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and struck out three.
LCSC pushed a run across in the first when Paul martin drew a walk to start the game and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Ashenbrenner.
LCSC made it 3-0 in the second when Ornelas singled, Kawika Emsley-Pai drew a walk and an error allowed two runs to score.
Two LCSC errors in the third inning help Linfield score its first run and a two-run double by Dustin Smith highlighted a three-run fourth inning that put Linfield ahead 4-3.
LCSC tied the game in the sixth when Ornelas singled, Emsley-Pai and Vaughn Prow walked to load the bases with no outs. Anguiano followed with a sacrifice fly RBI, but two strikeouts got Linfield out of the jam.
Linfield pushed across two runs in the seventh on a two-out two-run single by Zach Boskovich for a 6-4 lead.
In the Warrior eighth, Ornelas singled to start the rally and Prow and Anguiano followed with one-out singles to load the bases. Trent Bridges drove in a run with a single and Martin’s sacrifice fly tied the game. Ashenbrenner followed with a double to left to put the Warriors ahead for good.
LCSC resumes action on the road trip on Thursday when it takes on Concordia University of Portland at 12:30 p.m. at McMinnville. LCSC then heads to Lacey, Wash., for a three-game series against St. Martin’s. Friday’s game is at 2 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday contests start at 1 p.m.
