Lehnert's Gem Leads Linn-Benton 5-0 Over Pierce in Game 5

LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Linn-Benton Roadrunners kept their three-peat aspirations alive with a 5-0 victory over Pierce in Game 5 of the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship on Friday morning at David Story Field.

In a loser out game, the Roadrunners turned to freshman Evan Lehnert who had made just one start during the regular season. Lehnert looked poised as he threw seven shutout frames, allowing just three hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Dominic Daffron kept the shutout intact, allowing two hits with three strikeouts over the final two innings to earn the save.

The Beaks got the game started offensively with a run in the first, followed by two runs in the second. Noah Scharer drove home Bryant Starr in the first and then Starr drove in two runs in the second inning. Tyson McGrorty provided insurance runs in the ninth with a two-run home run. Starr led the offense with a 2-for-3 day, reaching base four times.

Pierce tallied five hits in the game but could not string consecutive hits often. The Raiders' biggest threat came in the ninth when they had runners on second and third with one out. Santiago Guedez-Rodriguez had a solid start for Pierce. After giving up the early three runs, he settled into hold LBCC scoreless over the next four, finishing with six innings pitched and five strikeouts.

Linn-Benton will move in in the loser's bracket, and next face the loser of Game 8 between Lane and Edmonds. They will play in Game 10 on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Pierce finishes a great year as they made their first final site appearance since 2016. They end with a 28-22 record, a second place finish in the West and a top-8 finish in the NWAC this season.