May 27, 2009

Story courtesy of Bert Sahlberg, Media Coordinator

LEWISTON, Idaho – (box score) Point Loma Nazarene’s (Calif.) Brandon Dixon outdueled Lubbock Christian University’s (Texas) R.L. Eisenbach in a battle of junior left-handed pitchers as the Sea Lions claimed a 2-1 win Tuesday (May 26) to become the only undefeated team left at the 53^rd annual Avista-NAIA World Series at Harris Field.

Point Loma Nazarene is guaranteed no worse than a tie for third in the 10-team double-elimination tournament. The Sea Lions (47-12) are making their fourth appearance in the Series and their best finish has been third.

The Sea Lions, thanks to Dixon’s performance, moved into the driver’s seat as the other three remaining teams all have one loss. If the Sea Lions can defeat Lee University on Wednesday, Point Loma will move into the championship game and will need only one win on either Thursday or Friday night for the title.

For Lubbock Christian, which is also seeking the program’s second national title, the road will be a little tougher. The Chaps (49-8) square off against Sooner Athletic Conference foe Oklahoma City on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and then must win games on Thursday and Friday to win it all.

Dixon and Eisenbach both were solid in Tuesday’s contest. Dixon allowed seven hits and two walks, but worked his way out of potential jams. He struck out six and improved to 12-1 overall as he held LCU to its second-lowest run production of the season.

Eisenbach matched Dixon’s performance with a five-hitter. He struck out eight and walked only two.

Of the 12 hits in the game, 10 were singles. LCU catcher Tyler Johnson had a pair of doubles, but only one resulted in a run. That came in the fourth inning when he led off with a double and was replaced by courtesy runner Brett Kazmierski. After Dixon recorded a strikeout, designated hitter Dan Neumann hit a single to left field to score Kazmierski.

The score stood until the top of the seventh when the Sea Lions scored both of their runs. Entering the seventh, Eisenbach had faced the minimum 12 batters over the last four innings, but he walked Mike Miles and Kurt Steinhauer back-to-back, both on full-count pitches. After a strikeout, Steven Winnick singled to score Miles. A wild pitch moved Steinhauer to third and he scored when Wes Kartch fouled out to left field.

LCU put two runners on in the seventh and eighth innings, but base-running errors in both innings stalled rally attempts.

Travis McCleary and Winnick had two hits apiece for Point Loma, while Will Stamp and Johnson had two for LCU.

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