J. J. Robinson caps big year with Warriors

J.J. Robinson

J.J. Robinson, former Colfax High School pitcher who just finished a championship season with the Lewis Clark State College Warriors in Lewiston, admits he is going to be sure he packs his cell phone around for the next three days. Although he discounts the chances of it happening, Robinson could get "the call" after being selected in the professional baseball draft. The draft runs June 9-11.

Robinson, who has had some low points in his college baseball career, was among LCSC players who celebrated on the Harris Field Friday night when the Warriors defeated Faulkner of Alabama 12-11 in the NAIA championship game before a crowd of more than 5,000.

Tuesday, Robinson was named to the NAIA All American second team by the coaches committee.

Robinson, who was in a slump with one hit in the first four games of the series, hit the first pitch he faced for the first of six homers by the Warriors on the way to the one-run win of the NAIA championship, the 18th for LCSC.

"It would be nice," Robinson admitted Tuesday about getting a draft call, but he expects to stay in Lewiston and play out a red shirt season next year for the Warriors. Although he is now four years removed from high school, Robinson will get one more season of college ball because he sat out last year following a knee operation.

The son of Jeff and Kristi Robinson of Colfax, Robinson was a pitcher for the Bulldogs for three years before going to DeSales to finish his high school studies. He also played summer Legion ball with the Pullman Patriots. He was recruited by WSU, but that did not work out and he went to Walla Walla Community College, where he was sidelined with a shoulder operation which marked the close of his college pitching career.

After the knee operation last year, Robinson marked a full season with the Warriors this year on a campaign that finished out 52-8, including the title run last week.

Robinson during the season was named NAIA west player of the year and had a batting average of .360 as a designated hitter before his slump during the series. He was also the only Warrior to play in all 54 games of the regular season which started in February.

Robinson noted the Warriors during the campaign marked hundreds of miles on charter buses for a tour which included trips to southern California and British Columbia.