CALDWELL, Idaho – Three years ago, the College of Idaho dedicated their new seating bowl at Wolfe Field with a rousing win over in-state rival Lewis-Clark State.
Unfortunately, history could not repeat itself, as LCSC scored five first inning unearned runs to build a big lead, cruising to a 9-2 victory over the Yotes as the Purple and Gold celebrated the completion of Canyon County's premier baseball facility.
The excitement from a pregame ceremony featuring the Wolfe Family and other key benefactors was overshadowed quickly by the No. 4 ranked Warriors (27-7, 17-3 NAIA West), taking advantage of two errors in the opening frame by the Yotes. A bases-clearing double from Darren Trainor was the big blow in the first inning rally.
LCSC extended the lead to 7-0 – getting a second inning RBI single from Kyle Callahan and a sixth inning sacrifice fly from Makana Victorine.
The Yotes (10-31, 3-22) had their chances despite not getting their first hit until the fifth inning – stranding the bases loaded in the fifth and leaving runners at second and third in the sixth following a
Dylan Mansanarez RBI single that got the hosts on the board. C of I also loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, but a pop up and double play ball ended the threat.
Lalo Porras tossed four hitless innings for L-C, with Matt Becker and Tanner Simpson combining for five innings of two run relief for the win. Kasey Bailey went 3-for-5 with Trainer and Victorine each recording three RBI for the Warriors.
Nate Hundley had the lone multi-hit game for the Yotes, going 2-for-4, with
Dominic Conigliaro providing C of I's second run with a ninth inning RBI double. Starter
Hunter Boyd went five innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out six – but threw 122 pitches.
The pregame festivities celebrated the partnership between the College and the City of Caldwell for the nearly 1,000-seat stadium, which features the only artificial turf infield in the state. Wolfe Field debuted a press box, concession stand, merchandise stand and a donor courtyard in 2018, along with a new concourse and entryway.
The two teams will play the middle games of the series tomorrow, with a doubleheader set for 1 p.m.
