LEWISTON, Idaho – (Box Score) Deivy Palmero’s two-run single down the right-field line in the bottom of the eighth inning helped top seed Faulkner (Ala.) defeat Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 5-4 early Sunday morning in the winner’s bracket of the 2016 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series. The 60th annual event is being played out for the 17th straight season – 25th overall – at Harris Field.

Because of a 14-inning game to start the day, the final contest on the second day of the tournament started 3 hours and 40 minutes late and didn’t get over until 12:59 a.m. Pacific time on Sunday.

Despite the lateness, the well-played and pitched contest saw Faulkner (50-13) take its first and only lead with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning after Lindsey Wilson (43-24) led 4-2.

Lindsey Wilson starter Aaron Doughty was solid for seven inning but gave up a single to Alexis Cruz and then missed high with his first pitch to David Palenzuela to start the eighth inning, which ended his night. Reliever Daniel Ferrell then came in and walked Palenzuela, who was replaced by pinch-runner Chase Morris. T.J. Condon then hit a grounder to third and Lindsey Wilson was able to get a force out at second. With one out, Mario Amaral singled to score Cruz to cut the margin to 4-3 and put runners on first and second. Palmeiro then drove in two with a shot down the right-field line that hit first base umpire Dale Gardner in foul territory behind first base. Gardner ruled that the ball went over first base in fair territory before it bounced off him and into right field, which gave Palmeiro his two-run single. Lindsey Wilson coach Jonathan Burton argued the ball was foul, but to no avail.

In the ninth, Lindsey Wilson put the tying run on board when Brandon Munoz hit a one-out single, but Faulkner closer Austin Moreland came in and recorded a strike out and a ground out to end the game.

Doughty and Faulkner starter Christian Torres were both brilliant in the contest, outside of the third inning when both teams did most of their damage. Doughty allowed eight hits and two earned runs in his outing with no walks and seven strikeouts. Torres pitched 7.2 innings and allowed eight hits and four runs, but also struck out 10 with just one walk.

Lindsey Wilson collected half of its hits off of Torrez in the third when it scored three times. Victor Nazario started the one out rally with a double and scored on Dustin Woody’s RBI single. Caleb Ratzman replaced Woody as a courtesy runner and went to third on a wild pickoff attempt by Torrez. A bunt single by Alec Salcedo scored Ratzman, while Edgar Lebron added an RBI triple down the right-field line to make it 3-0.

Faulkner cut the margin to 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Nick Cain and Onix Martinez hit back-to-back singles and both moved up a base on a wild pitch. Dario Polanco then singled in a run. Later in the inning, Polanco scored on an error, but Alexis Cruz was cut down at home plate trying to tie the game.

The contest remained 3-2 until the eighth when Lindsey Wilson appeared to get some breathing room with a solo run. Lebron singled, stole second and scored on a single by Aaron Ashton.

Lindsey Wilson will now try to repeat its Opening Round magic when it won five straight loser-out games to claim the title. The Blue Raiders will need to do the same to win the title at the Series and will meet Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) in the loser’s bracket at noon on Monday. Faulkner advances to face No. 4 seed Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

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.