Former Avista NAIA World Series MVP and Lewiston native Allen Balmer has been named assistant baseball coach at Lewis-Clark State College, Warrior baseball coach Ed Cheff has announced.

Balmer played for four seasons with the Warriors during 2002-06 and enjoyed much success. He started all four seasons at third base and helped the Warriors capture two national titles, including the championship in the 50th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewiston during his senior year in 2006. He earned the tournament’s MVP award after smacking 12 hits, scoring six runs, and driving in seven during a five-game stretch. He also was named to the Series’ All-Tournament team.

Overall at LCSC, Allen recorded 245 hits, established a batting average of .341, and averaged less than 12 errors a season. During his senior year, he hit .377 with a team-leading seven home runs during the regular season.  

Balmer had a wild month to close his college career. As well as being MVP of the Series, his wife, former LCSC volleyball player Marie (Lauder) Balmer, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Brody, on the afternoon of May 22, 2006. That evening, Allen hit a home run and dedicated it to his son during a game against Washington State University.

Balmer is a second generation Warrior baseball player as well. His father, Gary, who also works at LCSC, was a standout for the Warriors in the early 1980s.

Allen was a standout quarterback and third-baseman at Lewiston High School despite undergoing three knee surgeries. He also played for the Lewis-Clark Twins American Legion baseball team, which finished second in the 2002 national tournament. 

Balmer’s position replaces both Matt Vogel and Roberto Saenz, who were assistants with the team last season.

LCSC is coming of its 16th national title from a year ago, far and away the most in the NAIA. The Warriors posted a 58-7 mark a year ago.