May 23, 2009

LEWISTON, Idaho - Pinch-hitter Dwight Nixon hit a dramatic two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to help Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) defeat Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) 8-6 in a loser-out game at the 53rd annual Avista NAIA World Series at Harris Field on Saturday.

Fresno Pacific, the 10th seed at 40-20 overall, trailed No. 6 seed Embry-Riddle 6-1 in the top of the sixth inning but rallied to tie the game and then claim the victory in the 10-team double-elimination tournament.

Embry-Riddle reliever Aaron Varnum retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the ninth by getting a ground out and a strike out. Anthony Lowell then singled and advanced to second on a wild throw.

Nixon, a junior outfielder who was tied for third on the team in home runs entering the Series, then stepped in to pinch-hit and on a one-ball count, he took Varnum's offering deep over the left-field fence to start a wild celebration at home plate. It was Nixon's eighth home run of the season.

Embry-Riddle, which finishes the season at 44-14, got the early jump with three runs in the third inning. Consecutive singles by Matt Tomaszewski, Matt Steele and Dane Beaudette produced a run. A single by Branden Roper-Hubbert and a passed ball brought in the other two runs.

After an error helped Fresno Pacific score its first run in the fifth inning to end a dry spell of 14 consecutive innings without scoring in this Series, the Eagles put up three more in the top of the sixth for a 6-1 lead. Tomaszewski singled in a run, while a ground out by Steele and a sacrifice fly by A.J. Tea produced the other two runs.

FPU answered with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. The key hit was a three-run triple by Joey Norwood, who later scored on a wild pitch.

The Sunbirds tied the game an inning later on an RBI single by Lowell, who finished 3-for-5 and two runs scored. Tyler Pryor added three hits while Justin Keeney went 2-for-4 and two runs scored.

Beaudette went 3-for-3 to place Embry-Riddle, while Tomaszewski was 3-for-4.

FPU reliever Brian Oliver (3-5) picked up the win, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing only one hit. He struck out four and walked one.

FPU moves on to play at 8:30 a.m. on Monday against the loser of Lee-Lubbock Christian game.