Jacobs' Towering Slam Propels Tritons to 4-2 Victory over Lower Columbia

LONGVIEW, Wash. - Dylan Jacobs' fourth inning grand slam was all the offense Edmonds needed as they defeated host Lower Columbia 4-2 on Thursday night to end the first day of the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship at David Story Field.

After the Tritons loaded the bases with one out on three straight singles, Dylan Jacobs wasted no time with the first pitch he saw, sending a towering drive to left field that disappeared into the night to give Edmonds a commanding 4-0 lead. The Tritons' pitching staff did the rest, limiting the West Region champions to two runs on five hits.

Aidan O'Neil got the start for Edmonds as he pitched five innings with six strikeouts, allowing one run on two hits. The pen did the rest as Joshua Martinson, Brody Olmstead and Luke Moisant combined to allow one run over the final four innings to the Red Devils. 

Lower Columbia had a few dangerous opportunities throughout the game including loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fourth, right after Jacobs' grand slam. O'Neil dug deep and struck out the next three batters to not allow a run in the inning. The Red Devils also had the first two runners on in the eighth but ran into an out on the base paths and were unable to score.

Along with Jacobs, the Tritons were led offensively by Noah Figured and Cooper Barrow who each had two hits. The Red Devils were paced by Karsten Hansen who went 3-for-4. Baden Player of the Year Quinn Hubbs made the start for the Red Devils. Hubbs was strong as usual with 10 strikeouts over 6.1 innings, with the lone damage coming on Jacobs' home run. Dante Santulli pitched 2.2 innings with two strikeouts and without allowing a run.

Edmonds continues on into the winner's bracket as they will face Lane on Friday night at 7:35 p.m. Lower Columbia will go to the loser's bracket, facing Spokane at 12:35 p.m. in a loser-out game.