LEWISTON, Idaho – Senior Jordan Payne fell a single short of hitting for the cycle and junior Michael Noteware earned his team-leading eighth win of the season as the Lewis-Clark State College baseball team cruised past Patten University on a warm Friday night at Harris Field. The No. 10-ranked Warriors won the NAIA West contest by a final score of 13-2.
Payne (photo), the Warriors’ starting centerfielder, ripped a two-run triple in the fourth inning, a two-run home run in the seventh, and a one-run double in the eighth. On the night, he finished 3-for-5 with five runs batted in. It was his second homer of the season and his first at Harris Field (his first long ball came on opening day at the Arizona Desert Classic in Phoenix).
Payne would have become the first player since Joey Dyche to hit for the cycle. Dyche accomplished the feat during the 2005 Avista NAIA World Series.
The Warriors, now 34-10 overall and 22-6 in league play, put Friday night’s contest out of reach by plating seven runs in the seventh inning. The rally involved six hits including two doubles by Connor Moore, a triple by Billy Silvestri, and a two-run home run by Alfonso Casillas.
Casillas, who was making his first start since injuring his quadriceps in a game on April 3, finished with two hits and three runs batted in. With nine long balls he is now tied with Braxton Miller for most blasts on the team.
Mitchell Wilhite was 2-for-4 with two runs and two runs batted in, Moore had with three hits and two runs, and Silvestri had two hits and two runs. Kyle Knigge, out for a couple weeks with a hip flexor injury, also returned to the starting lineup on Friday and scored two runs.
With plenty of run support, Noteware used 100 pitches to make it through seven innings without much trouble. He surrendered two runs with nine hits and a walk, and struck out six to improve to 8-1. Sal Arena pitched two scoreless innings and had two strikeouts in wrapping it up.
Patten, now 12-23 and 8-16, had 14 hits but hit into three double plays and left nine men on base. Sean Rogers and Perry Rogan led the Lions with three hits apiece.
The four-game series continues with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and will finish with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday. Saturday is billed as Poster Day and all fans will receive a free Warrior Poster and get a chance to meet Warrior players and have the poster signed after the second game. Sunday is Boys and Girls Club Day and all members will receive free admittance.
To watch Payne's triple in the fourth inning click here.
To watch Payne's triple in the fourth inning click here.
