Roadrunners Win South Title

 

ALBANY, Oregon – The Linn-Benton Baseball team defeated Chemeketa Community College in both games on Sunday, May 15.

The Roadrunners improved to 32-11 on the season, and 19-7 in the NWAC South Region. The Storm fell to 17-28 on the season, and 10-16 in the NWAC South Region.

It looked like the NWAC South Region might have crowned a new champion back on April 29. The Beaks had dropped two games against Clark Community College and sat behind the #1 ranked Lane Titans. The Roadrunners offense was struggling going into the biggest 8 game stretch of the season against the Titans and Mt. Hood Saints. Entering crunch time, Head Coach Andy Peterson and his Roadrunners did not falter under pressure, winning 10 of their next 12 games, and are currently on a 5 game win streak. With their two wins against Chemeketa, The Roadrunners can now call themselves NWAC South Region Champions for the fifth straight season (excluding the canceled COVID season).

In game one, the Roadrunners defeated the Storm 12-3. The Beaks offense struggled through 5 innings, but exploded putting up 5 runs in the seventh inning, and 4 in the eighth. Roadrunner Titus Dumitru hit his second home run of the season with a 2 run bomb to left field in the seventh inning. Roadrunner Michael Soper continued his all-star play, going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and a stolen base. Soper picked up a hit in both games, stretching his hitting streak to 14 games, dating back to April 23.

Beaks Kaden Segel picked up the win on the mound in relief, improving to 3-2 on the season. Segel went 4 innings allowing 1 run, on 4 hits, while striking out 5.

In game two, the Roadrunners defeated the Storm 11-5. This time the Roadrunners took care of business early, scoring 8 runs in the first 2 innings. Roadrunner Jake Hoskins went 3-4, with a season high 4 RBI, while scoring 1 run.

Roadrunner Jack Muth picked up the win, in relief of Boone Rush. Muth went 4 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, while striking out 3. Muth improved to 2-0 on the season.

Next up the Roadrunners will finish their final two games of the season, against Chemeketa Community College Monday April. 15. Game first pitch is set for 1 p.m. and game two first pitch is set for 4 p.m at 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem.

After the Beaks wrap up their final two games of the season, they will await to see who their opponent will be in the NWAC Baseball Championship Tournament at Lower Columbia Community College.