Roadrunner baseball enters April on a 10-game winning streak.
The Beaks entered last week four games into the streak, sweeping Lane in an away doubleheader on March 24 to bring the total to six. Freshman pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit earned the win in the first game, a 2-1 victory, while freshman pitcher Gabe Brabec earned the second win in a 3-0 final score.
In the second game, sophomore outfielder Jordan Hockett scored two RBIs – one off a triple at the top of the fourth inning, and another off a double at the top of the fifth. He also scored due to an error after his triple, having a hand in every run the Beaks scored.
On March 29, the Beaks played a doubleheader against 6-12 Mt. Hood at home. The first game was a thriller, with the Beaks prevailing 5-4 in a matchup that went into extra innings. Catcher Evan Chadwick saved the game for Linn-Benton with a walkoff solo home run in the 12th. Sophomore infielder Kace Naone also recorded a home run in the game. Sophomore pitcher Russell Holly earned the win.
Linn-Benton won the next game, defeating Mt. Hood 2-1 in another close game. Chadwick was once again the star of the show, with two RBIs, a double in the second and a single in the sixth. Both scored freshman designated hitter Kellen Segel. Sophomore pitcher Ever Lamm earned the win.
The next day, Linn-Benton completed their final doubleheader of spring break, this time on the road. Once again, it was against Mt. Hood, and once again, Linn-Benton emerged the victors.
The first game was a high-scoring affair, with Linn-Benton winning 9-5. Hockett led the team with three RBIs, including a home run at the top of the fourth. LBCC jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the top of the sixth, but despite Mt. Hood’s offense finally putting points on the board, the Saints couldn’t keep up with the Beaks. Kleinschmit earned the win.
In the last game of the series, Linn-Benton defeated Mt. Hood 3-0. The game only lasted seven innings, and Brabec pitched every one, earning the win for the Beaks. Sophomore outfielder Spencer Sullivan and freshmen infielder Jake Dodge each recorded RBIs.
The Beaks now sit at 18-6 on the season with a 14-2 record in the conference. The team currently has three players batting over .300 in Segel (.389), freshman outfielder Andrew Demianew (.345), and sophomore utility player Aidan Dougherty (.324).
After their dominant showing in March, the Beaks enter April as the NWAC’s top-ranked baseball team.
Up next, they’ll face Chemeketa on the road in a doubleheader on April 4, and then at home in a doubleheader on April 6. The first game on both days will begin at 1 p.m.
