Recapping championship Monday from May 26th at the NWAC Baseball Championship in Longview, WA.
Game 14: Linn-Benton 2, Spokane 0 (Spokane eliminated)
The Linn-Benton Roadrunners shut out Spokane 2-0 in an elimination game at the 2025 NWAC Baseball Championship on Monday at David Story Field, earning a title-game rematch with Tacoma. Linn-Benton struck early in the first when Kolten Lindstrom scored on Jake Dodge’s RBI single. They doubled the lead in the fourth as Chase Logan’s RBI single plated Jake Holmes, who had doubled. Spokane struggled offensively, managing just three hits and failing to capitalize on three Linn-Benton errors. The Sasquatch’s best chance came in the ninth, but Jake Von Lubken secured the save with a strikeout after Connor Mendez’s 8.2 scoreless innings. Mendez was dominant, allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out five to earn the win, extending his tournament scoreless streak to 17.2 innings. Spokane’s Zach Bowman took the loss, allowing two runs on seven hits over seven innings, with Joe Thornton pitching a scoreless eighth. Lindstrom led Linn-Benton with two hits, while Joe Thornton had two hits for Spokane. The Roadrunners advance to face Tacoma in the championship, while Spokane ends their season with a strong third-place finish.
Stats for Linn-Benton:
- Mendez: W, 8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
- Von Lubken: SV, 0.1 IP, K
- Lindstrom: 2-4, R
- Dodge: 1-2, RBI
- Logan: 1-3, RBI
Stats for Spokane:
- Zach Bowman: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- Joe Thornton: 2-4; 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Game 15: Linn-Benton 3, Tacoma 2
The Linn-Benton Roadrunners clinched their second consecutive NWAC Baseball Championship with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory over the Tacoma Titans in 10 innings on Monday at David Story Field. Tacoma took an early lead in the first when Isaiah Afework’s bases-loaded walk scored Logan Shepherd, making it 1-0. They extended the lead to 2-0 in the seventh as Chase Cretti’s RBI fielder’s choice brought home Jailon Goodfellow. Linn-Benton rallied in the eighth, tying the game at 2-2 with Jake Dodge’s RBI single scoring Andrew Demianew, followed by Jackson Fera’s sacrifice fly plating Bryant Starr. In the 10th, Demianew scored the winning run on a wild pitch after reaching on a hit-by-pitch, securing the title. Linn-Benton’s Easton Corey earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Brody McMullen threw five innings, allowing one run. Tacoma’s Max Goldberg pitched six scoreless innings, but Carson Ackermann took the loss, allowing the unearned run in the 10th. Demianew and Dodge each had two hits for Linn-Benton, while Shepherd led Tacoma with two hits. The Roadrunners’ fifth NWAC title and third in four years cements their dynasty, while Tacoma finishes as runner-up for the third straight year.
Stats for Linn-Benton:
- Seth Dreeszen: 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
- McMullen: 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 5 K
- Corey: W, 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
- Demianew: 2-3, 2 R
- Dodge: 2-4, RBI
- Starr: 1-4, 2B, R
Stats for Tacoma:
- Max Goldberg: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
- Carson Achermann: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K
- Logan Shepherd: 2-5, R
Check out our
NWAC Tournament Preview, Day 1 Recap, Day 2 Recap, Day 3 Recap, Day 4 Recap
