LEWISTON, Idaho – (Box Score) For the 62nd time in the 60-year history of the Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series, a game took extra innings for a winner to be decided as No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.) defeated No. 6 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), 6-5, in 10 innings Friday evening at Harris Field.

With two outs in the top of the 10th inning, Jake Browne battled out of a 0-2 hole and drove the seventh pitch of the at-bat into centerfield. Derik Bontempo, who reached on a single thru the hole in the right side of the diamond, scored on the play. Browne advanced to second when the throw from centerfield ricocheted off Bontempo.

Bellevue threatened to score additional insurance runs, loading the bases, however Trevor Jones failed to capitalize.

“We’ve been in this spot before, close games and our guys have been prepared to see a game like this,” said Bellevue head coach Duane Monlux. “They weren’t rattled and were able to get a couple clutch two-out hits, make some plays defensively, and our pitchers made some pitches to get outs.”

Bruin closer Leland Tilley (10-1) shut the door on the Warhawks, inducing three ground balls. The Exeter, Calif., native was credited with the win.

“I thought our bullpen did a great job, they didn’t allow a run,” said Monlux. “Tony (Monray) and (Leland) Tilley both did a great job; they really stepped up and showed their toughness.”

With the victory, Bellevue improves to 52-10 on the year and 7-5 all-time in its opening game at the World Series. The Bruins, who are now 4-4 in extra-inning games at the World Series, play the winner of No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan and No. 7 Sterling (Kan.) Monday at 3 p.m. PDT.

“At the end of the day, it was a great win,” added Monlux.

Bontempo led Bellevue’s offense with a season-high tying four hits. The junior designated hitter has tallied at least one hit in 25 of his last 26 games. Browne was next on the club with three hits, followed by Ross Feeley’s two.

Bellevue scored three unanswered runs on four hits over the course of the opening two innings. A double to left-center by Bontempo and sacrifice fly by Joe Mancuso plated the two first-inning runs. In the second frame, Matt Evans scored on a wild throw

Auburn Montgomery posed a serious threat in bottom of the second, as the Warhawks loaded the bases with no outs. However, it proved all for not, as a shallow fly ball to left field and a double-play ended the inning.

The Warhawks drew blood in the bottom of the third, cutting the Bellevue lead to 3-1. Back-to-back singles by Cody Rush and Scotty Smith gave Auburn Montgomery runners on first and third with no outs. Rush scored four pitches later when John-Mark Cosby ground into a double play.

Auburn Montgomery scored two runs on three hits in the fourth, knotting the score 3-3. Leadoff hitter Kaleb Harris sparked the run with a double down the right field line to open the frame. The Pinson, Ala., native scored a few batters later via a fielder’s choice. Rush singled to drive in the second run.

The Warhawks pushed its lead to 5-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Two Bellevue errors played a key role in the inning, starting with a wild throw that allowed leadoff hitter Blake Grill to reach first base. A wild pitch and another single by Rush scored Michael Tedford, who was pinch running from Grill. Rush stole second base and advanced to third when the throw went into centerfield. This allowed Rush to come home on a Brandon Pooler sacrifice fly.

However, the lead was short lived, as Bellevue plated two in the top of the seventh to tie the score 5-5. Colton Nash had the big hit in the inning, sending a 2-2 pitch thru the hole between shortstop and third base to score Joe Moran and Derik Bontempo. Nash was thrown out trying to reach second base.

Rush ended the night 3-for-5 at the dish with two runs scored and a RBI to lead Auburn Montgomery.

Jed Carter (2-1) took the loss for the Warhawks, allowing one run and two hits in 2.1 innings of work. Starting pitcher Cole Goodwin tossed a game-high six innings. The Leesburg, Ga., native surrendered nine hits and allowed four runs (two earned).

With the loss, Auburn Montgomery falls into the elimination bracket and plays No. 10 Point (Ga.) tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Prior to tonight, the last extra inning game at the World Series occurred in 2014.

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.