LEWISTON, Idaho – (Box Score) Pinch-hitter Dylan Tashjian's RBI single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning helped fourth seed Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) defeat fifth seed University of Science & Arts (Okla.) 2-1 in the final game on opening day of the 60th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Harris Field on Friday night.

Tashjian, a senior outfielder who leads LCSC with a .420 batting average, took a two-strike pitch on the outside corner and deposited the ball down the right-field line to easily score Cabe Reiten with the winning run in the well-pitched contest that saw both teams score a run in the ninth inning.

Science & Arts tied the contest with two outs in the top of the ninth. It appeared the game would end on Yarliel Gonzalez's grounder to Reiten, LCSC's shortstop, but Reiten couldn't field cleanly and Gonzalez reached on an error. Cesar Figuereo then doubled to deep right center field to knock in Gonzales.

Reiten then atoned for the error when he opened the bottom of the ninth with a double to deep right-center field off reliever Allan Sanchez (13-2). Sanchez then hurt himself when a pickoff attempt throw to second base wound up in center field, which allowed Reiten to reach third. After throwing a strike to Tashjian following the pickoff attempt, Tashjian followed with his walk-off single.

Both starting pitchers enjoyed excellent outings. Warrior junior right-hander Kevin Hamann tossed a seven-hitter with six strikeouts. Hamann (9-1) didn't allow a Drovers' baserunner past second base until the ninth inning.

As strong as Hamann's performance was, Science & Arts pitcher Jordan Watson was equal to the task. The junior right-hander was a workhorse as he allowed only three hits and struck out 15. He also walked seven in throwing 131 pitchers in eight innings. He was replaced by Sanchez to start the ninth.

The 15 strikeouts by the Warriors matched their Series high in a game.

The game's first run came in the bottom of the first inning. Robert Smith drew a one-out walk and Jacob Zanon followed with a double to left that scored Smith.

Despite the two outstanding efforts on the mound, both teams had scoring opportunities. The Warriors (49-7) stranded eight runners in the game while the Drovers (48-12) stranded five.

Figuereo finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Drovers, while Zanon and Reiten had doubles for LCSC's only extra-base hits.

Sciences & Arts falls into the loser's bracket where it will face The Masters at noon on Saturday. LCSC receives a bye Saturday and will play on Monday at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of Saturday's contest between Lindsey Wilson (Ky) and No. 1 seed Faulkner (Ala.).

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

The Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series is a 10-team, double-elimination event hosted by Lewis-Clark State (Idaho). For more information on the 60th annual event, click HERE.