May 30, 2007

LEWISTON, Idaho - Houston Baptist (Texas), Spring Arbor (Mich.) and Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) came away with wins Tuesday, while Bellevue (Neb.) hangs around as the fourth member of the remaining field after four days of play at the 2007 Avista-NAIA World Series at Harris Field in Lewiston.

HBU eliminated top-seeded Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 5-1 in the day's early game, smothering the APU side of the scoreboard despite allowing the Cougars 10 hits in the game. APU's only run came on an eighth-inning solo homer by Kirk Nieuwenhuis, while HBU scored a single run in the second, third and fourth innings before notching two in the sixth to seal it.

In the loss, Azusa stranded 11 baserunners, due in-part to a masterful performance by starting pitcher Jay Prigmore, who tossed all nine innings, bouncing back from his first outing of the series in which he lasted only 1.1 innings in a loss to Lindenwood (Mo.).

The Lions were bounced in game two of the day, falling victim to three big innings from Spring Arbor, including a five-run sixth that all but ended the Lindenwood threat. Spring Arbor had eight doubles, one shy of an NAIA record, and three players scored three runs in the 14-6 win.

Ryan Shockley and Matt Pohlman combined for five Lindenwood RBIs in the game, but Nate Eisenbeis was hit for the Lion loss after lasting only four innings and giving up six runs on eight hits. Spring Arbor starting pitcher Andrew Paulun tossed 5.1 innings, surrendering six runs on 10 hits while striking out two and walking three. Bobby Goike got an automatic save in the win, tossing 3.2 innings of two-hit shut-out baseball.

Spring Arbor had four multiple-hit games in the win, led by a 3-for-4, five RBI outing for Jon Herbig. Herbig also scored three in the win. Shortstop Brad Baker nearly missed an NAIA single-game World Series record, belting two doubles in the game. Lucas Rider also had two doubles for the Cougars.

In the day's third game, Lewis-Clark State and Bellevue traded runs between the second and third innings, and Bellevue loaded the bases with an opportunity to take a lead down one in the top of the sixth.

The Bruins were unable to move a run across, and in the next frame, Lewis-Clark got its own chance at a bases-loaded situation, plating four runs to take a 6-1 lead heading to the stretch inning. The Warriors had also scored a run in the fifth to take an initial lead.

Ikaika Lester homered in the win for the Warriors, who are the only remaining undefeated team in the 2007 World Series.

Two more runs came in the seventh, as the Warriors moved into Wednesday's 7 p.m. game against Houston Baptist. Bellevue and Spring Arbor will throw first pitch at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Houston Baptist is the designated home team in the nightcap, and in the early game, Spring Arbor will hit in the home half of the inning.