Blazers take series from number one Lower Columbia

Centralia took two of three games against number one ranked Lower Columbia last weekend.

The Red Devils came to Centralia for a doubleheader April 10 boasting an impressive 18-1 record sitting solely atop the Western Division standings.

Alex Anderson started the first game for the Blazers and went eight innings giving up four runs.

Centralia had a 4-2 lead going into the eighth inning but Lower Columbia strung hits together scoring two runs to tie the game 4-4 before Anderson got out of the inning.

Jace Shelton came in for the Blazers in the ninth inning and shut the Red Devils down.

In the bottom half of the ninth, Red Devils pitcher Griffiths walked Ryan Knutz to load the bases.

Spencer Weddle stepped into the batters box with two outs and the bases loaded looking to get the winning run across the plate any way necessary.

He got a pitch he liked and lined it into left field for a walk off single to upset Lower Columbia handing them their second loss of the season.

The Blazers picked up five runs on 11 hits and committed three errors. Shelton picked up the win.

Lower Columbia has not lost back-to-back games in over a year and they weren't about to change that beating Centralia 9-2 in the second game of the doubleheader.

The Red Devils came out swinging the bats taking an early 5-0 lead in the second inning and the Blazers were not able to battle back.

Lower Columbia had 13 hits to Centralia's five. The Blazers also committed four errors in the loss.

Scott Miller was the starting pitcher for Centralia and was charged with the loss.

On day two the Blazers made the trek to Longview to take on the Red Devils on their home field.

Tyson Schmitt took the mound for Centralia and pitched a complete game gem.

Going into the game Schmitt had an earned run average of .3, which was good enough for third in the NWAACC.

Schmitt gave up six hits and two runs, though neither were earned.
"I threw a lot of sinkers trying to get them to hit grounders," he said of his approach against Lower Columbia.

The Blazers scored three runs on five hits to hand the Red Devils their second loss in as many days.

The Blazers committed four errors that allowed Lower Columbia to get their two runs across the plate.

With the two wins Centralia gave the Red Devils more league losses than they had in the entire 2009 season as they dominated the West finishing with a 24-1 league record.

"I will forever remember this day," Schmitt said about game.

The Blazers next game will be against Green River April 17 in Aberdeen.

Notes: Schmitt is verbally committed to the University of Washington right now and plans to sign a letter of intent this week. Check back Thursday for more info.