Unlimited range

When Josh Ashenbrenner is evaluated by professional baseball scouts, they have no trouble collecting most of the basic information. He's a 6-foot, 185-pound, left-handed-hitting senior at Lewis-Clark State.

OK, fine. And what position does he play?

"That's the tricky part," Ashenbrenner acknowledged.

It's a bit of a mystery because Ashenbrenner has been an infield nomad throughout his collegiate career. Up until joining Washington State's program in 2007, he had played shortstop almost exclusively. But during the last four seasons, he has spent extensive time at second and third, as well as short.

So of the three, which one is his natural home?

"I feel like all of them are my position - I'm pretty versatile," he said.

And if he had to pick one?

"I think third," he said, "maybe."

Ashenbrenner is in his third season with the Warriors after transferring from WSU, and his knack for plugging holes has been invaluable to the NAIA powerhouse. He has recently made appearances at his original station, shortstop, in the wake of a broken elbow suffered by Todd Muecklisch.

Ashenbrenner probably isn't as fleet-footed as some infielders. But he has learned the ins and outs of all three positions, and can be counted on to make all of the routine plays.

"The thing about Ashenbrenner, he just doesn't make mistakes," L-C coach Ed Cheff said. "... He compensates for a lack of speed by getting a good route and a good jump, and he gets himself in a good position to throw. And he never makes throwing errors.

"When I think about him, there's a guy who plays within himself."

Ashenbrenner has also incrementally added 15 pounds to his once-willowy frame, which has been a boon to his hitting power. After managing a single home run in his first two college campaigns, he has five in 30 games this season.

His reliability has been a key ingredient for the top-ranked Warriors, who have scooted to a 28-2 record. If L-C sweeps its doubleheader at Willamette on Saturday, it will be off to the best start in program history.

Yet the Warriors insist they have room for improvement. They've had to rely on late heroics in a number of their wins, including two walkoff victories in their most recent doubleheader.

Ashenbrenner's first year at L-C was in 2008, when the Warriors beat Lee twice in the championship round of the NAIA World Series. In the first win over the Flames - perhaps the most thrilling escape in L-C history - the Warriors scored three times with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to snatch a 7-6 triumph.

The ability to persevere is a skill the current club also seems to possess. "This is definitely a team that could compare to 2008," Ashenbrenner said.

Ashenbrenner, a 22-year-old native of Kirkland, Wash., was familiar with L-C during his prep career, but eagerly made a verbal commitment to WSU midway through his junior year. His father, Al, graduated from the Pullman institution and his mother, Sue, spent time there. It was the family school.

But Ashenbrenner said he didn't agree with the coaching staff's plans for him after his freshman season. At the behest of Bill Stubbs - one of his former coaches and a friend to the Warriors - Ashenbrenner made contact with Cheff.

The amenities the Cougars can afford are nice, Ashenbrenner said, "but baseball-wise, (L-C) isn't a step down at all. I came here for baseball, not for the luxuries of a Pac-10 school."

Sue Ashenbrenner said her soft-spoken son took an immediate liking to his down-to-earth teammates at L-C.

"You've got to admit it: At D-I's, a lot of those players are prima donnas," Sue said. "There are no prima donnas here; Ed wouldn't allow it.

"And that's Josh. He's a dirtbag, blue-collar kind of guy - just put me in and let me play and I'll do what I can to help us win."

The Ashenbrenners have closely watched their son's career. They've attended all but one of his L-C games - both home and away - and have managed to make friends in Lewiston during their frequent visits.

"We're lucky," Sue said. "We've planned our lives around it."

Al and Sue both retired in recent years, partially so they could make it to Josh's games. When they aren't watching baseball, they help out at the 99-cent store owned by their eldest son, Luke, who is 32.

The Ashenbrenners' three sons - there is also 24-year-old Travis - all played sports throughout their childhoods, but Josh was perhaps the most devoted. Sue remembers pitching to her youngest son for two hours during an Easter party ... when he was 2.

Even when his friends' interests strayed, Ashenbrenner remained committed to baseball.

"Kids are out going to parties and stuff on Saturday nights," Sue said, "and since he was 6 years old, he's been at camp Saturday night, fielding balls. He loves it, obviously."

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Baney may be reached at mbaney@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2258.