LEWISTON, Idaho – (Schedule | Press Book | Ticket Information) The 60th annual Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series opens play Friday at 9 a.m. PDT, as No. 7 Sterling (Kan.) and No. 10 Point (Ga.) lock horns at Harris Field. The 10-team, double elimination event is hosted on the campus of Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) for the 17th-straigth season and 25th overall May 27 – June 3.

After the conclusion of the Sterling-Point game, No. 8 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and No. 9 The Master’s (Calif.) take the field at 12 p.m., followed by No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.) and No. 6 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) at 3 p.m. The nightcap begins with the World Series Opening Ceremonies and finishes with No. 4 Lewis-Clarke State and No. 5 Science & Arts (Okla.) at approximately 7 p.m.

Top-seeded Faulkner (Ala.) and No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan open action on Saturday. The Eagles play the winner of Lindsey Wilson-The Master’s at 6:30 p.m., while the Bulldogs await the victor between Sterling and Point at 3 p.m.

Three of last year’s 10 World Series qualifiers return to Harris Field, including defending national champion Lewis-Clarke State. The Warrior’s 2015 banner marked the 17th in program history and first since 2008. Lewis-Clark State, which comes into the event on a 14-game winning streak, has appeared in the title game each of the last three seasons and boasts a 133-44 all-time record at the World Series.

Faulkner and Lindsey Wilson are the other repeat qualifiers. The Eagles, who have made the trip to Lewiston four-straight seasons, are vying for a second national title. The Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament champion’s first banner came in 2013.

Lindsey Wilson is appearing for only the second time in program history. The Blue Raiders, who won five-straight elimination games to qualify for the 60th annual event, when 0-2 in their inaugural appearance.

Two teams are making their first-ever World Series appearance this season – Point and Science & Arts. The Skyhawks are arguably the largest surprise among the 10 teams that qualified, as they went 4-1 at the Savannah Opening Round Bracket to become the first No. 5 seed to win an Opening Round banner.

Science & Arts, which has won 10-straight games entering the World Series, outscored its opponents 45-3 in three Opening Round games to find itself in Lewiston. The Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament champions have not lost since April 26.

Bellevue – champions in the Grand Rapids Bracket – enters the event with a qualifier-best 51 wins. The Bruins have won eight of their last nine games, including back-to-back victories against Opening Round host Davenport (Mich.) to earn a spot in the World Series. Sterling (50-14) is the only other qualifier to reach the 50-win plateau.

In addition to Lewis-Clark State and Faulkner, Bellevue (1995) and Tennessee Wesleyan (2012) have also taken home the coveted red banner.

Stretch Internet, the NAIA’s official video streaming company, is broadcasting the first 15 games of the 2016 Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series. The All-World Series package can be purchased for $29.95, while a single-day pass is available for $9.95. Visit www.NAIANetwork.com for more information.

World Series games played June 1 – 3 air live on ESPN3.

For more information on the 2016 Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series, click here.