May 24, 2008

(Box Score)

LEWISTON, Idaho - No. 3 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) College seniors Ikaika Lester and Kyle Greene both were one hit short of the cycle and three pitchers combined on a two-hitter as the two-time defending champion Warriors eased past No. 6 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) University 19-0 in the opening round of the 52nd annual AVISTA-NAIA World Series at LCSC's Harris Field on Friday night.

The contest, which ended at 11:38 p.m., PST, was stopped in the seventh inning because of the 10-run rule.

The Warriors, ranked No. 2 in the final NAIA poll and the third seed in the tournament, took advantage of Embry-Riddle miscues early to take a 12-0 lead after two innings and 17-0 after four.

Lester, who fell a triple short of the cycle, went 4-for-5 with five RBI in the first four innings of the game. Lester hit a two-run double in the first inning, a two-run home run in the second inning, led of the third inning with a single, and added a double in the fourth.

Greene, the Region I Player of the Year, hit a two-run bomb in the third inning and a two-run double in the fourth to finish with four RBI. He went 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored. Greene came up a single short of the cycle and was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth. Both Lester and Greene had three of the four hits for the cycle by the fourth inning.

Matt Fitts, who returned to LCSC for his junior season despite being drafted in the 15th round by the Houston Astros, checked Embry-Riddle on one hit through four innings. With the game in hand, LCSC coach Ed Cheff pulled Fitts to save him for later in the tournament. Justin Mace pitched the next two hitless innings, while Blaine Hardy pitched the final inning and allowed an infield single. The three combined to strike out seven.

Embry-Riddle also was its own worst enemy at times. The Eagles committed five errors and six pitchers allowed seven walks and hit two batters. Starting pitcher Jordan Roberts didn't make it out of the first inning as he gave up four walks and hit two batters. He also gave up a hit and finished his two-thirds of an inning stint by allowing four runs.

David Reynolds, the sixth and final pitcher for the Eagles, was the only one to go at least one inning without allowing a run.

With the win, the Warriors improve to 54-6 and will receive a bye until Monday's action. Embry-Riddle falls to 41-17 and will play Jamestown at noon on Saturday in loser-out play.