LCSC's Balmer wins NAIA World Series MVP award

June 3, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Hometown product Allen Balmer hit .414 to lead  Lewis-Clark State College to the title and earn the Most Valuable Player Award at the 50th annual Avista NAIA World Series, which wrapped up play at LCSC's Harris Field on Friday night.

 

Balmer, who played at Lewiston High, was selected to the all-tournament team at third base. The senior went 12-of-29 for the tournament with three doubles, six runs scored and seven RBI.

 

He was one of four LCSC players selected to the team as the Warriors won their 14th national championship under coach Ed Cheff with a 5-4 11-inning victory over Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tenn.

 

LCSC's Jessie Mier was selected as one of the two catchers to the squad, while Mark Thompson was chosen as an outfielder and Chris Kissock as a pitcher.

 

LCSC second baseman Justin Fuller won the NAIA Charlie Hustle Award for his play in the tournament. The Golden Glove Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the Series, went to Cumberland shortstop Victor Alvarez.

 

Sixteen players from the 10-team double-elimination tournament are chosen to the All-Tournament Team, which is selected by the media and the tournament's Games Committee.

 

Like LCSC, Cumberland had four players on the team; Lubbock Christian had three, British Columbia and Auburn-Montgomery two each and Bellevue one.

 

Here are the all-tournament team and award winners

 


All Tournament Team

 

First base - Michael Harwkins, Lubbock Christian.

Second base - Joe Evans, Bellevue.

Third base - Allen Balmer, Lewis-Clark State.

Shortstop - Victor Alvarez, Cumberland.

Infielder - Dorian Rojas, Cumberland.

Catcher - Britt Clayton, Auburn-Montgomery.

Catcher - Jessie Mier, Lewis-Clark State.

Outfielder - Connor Janes, British Columbia.

Outfielder - Cortez Pearson, Auburn-Montgomery

Outfielder - Angel Mercado, Cumberland.

Outfielder - Mark Thompson, Lewis-Clark State.

Designated hitter - Steve Bell-Irving, British Columbia

Pitcher - Nick Pauza, Lubbock Christian.

Pitcher - David Wasylak, Lubbock Christian.

Pitcher - Drew Shetrone, Cumberland

Pitcher - Chris Kissock, Lewis-Clark State.

 

Awards

 

Charles Berry Hustle Award - Justin Fuller, Lewis-Clark State.

Golden Glove Award - Victor Alvarez, Cumberland.

Tournament MVP - Allen Balmer, Lewis-Clark State.

Hank Burbridge Champion of Character Team Award - Loyola University of New Orleans.

Hank Burbridge Champion of Character Player Award - Johnny Yiu, British Columbia.

 

 

-NAIA-

 

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

Championship Information

baseball

67th ANNUAL
BASEBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

World Series
May 24-31, 2024
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, Idaho

Opening Round
May 13-16, 2024
Campus Sites