Lower Columbia entered the 2020 season as the back to back to back defending champions of the NWAC and looked poise to make a run at 4 consecutive titles. It wouldn’t be, as the season was cancelled and then with a talented pitching staff moving on to schools like LSU, University of Washington, Washington State and more, this young and somewhat inexperienced group of pitchers will need to step up to keep the Red Devils run of dominance continuing.
Head Coach: Eric Lane
Key Returning Position Players
Drew Steelhammer – OF – LCC has a history of producing talented outfielders who can cover ground in the field and produce at the plate. In the shortened 2020 season Steelhammer recorded 7 hits and 7 BBs in 8 games.
Matthew Schwarz – INF – A talented defensive infielder who showed in the short 2020 season that he could impact games at the plate as well as in the field.
Key Returning Pitchers
Spencer Andersen – LHP – Having pitched out of the bullpen in the shortened 2020 season, Anderson looks to make the move into the starting rotation. He keeps hitters off balance and out of a rhythm.
Griffin Henry – LHP – Henry also worked out of the bullpen in 2020 but will make the move to the starting rotation. Like Andersen he will keep hitters off balance but both will need to rely on their defense behind them. Henry and Andersen both will be key pieces to the goals Lower Columbia has set for 2021.
Ryan Pitts – RHP – Pitts has taken advantage of the past year and has seen an increase in velocity and has developed promising secondary pitches. He is slated as a closer, but could be utilized as a starter if needed.
Key Incoming Freshman
Ethan Stacy FR/INF (Sydney, AUS)
Tyler Reese FR/INF (Bellevue, WA)
Samuel Stuhr FR/RHP (Portland, OR)
Lowell Dunmire RSFR (Vancouver, WA)
Expectations for 2021
“We are very unproven on the mound, but believe we will make strides there as the year continues. We do not have the power type arm, with the exception of Sam Stuhr and Ryan Pitts, but in the past we’ve done well with the pitch-ability lefty. We believe our offense is our strong suit and can produce a lot of pop. We don’t run that well so pop in the lineup would be good. Defensively we are strong up the middle and with our type of pitchers we will be challenged with contact. We’ve seen 11 games from most the Sophomores so it will be nice to get back out there and see them compete. Our toughness will need to grow if we want to win a west division championship—That’s on the coaches as much as the players.” Head Coach Eric Lane