NAIA Top 25 and recap for April 7

Results of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll for April 7, 2009, and Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating. Comments below:

First-place votes: Lubbock Christian 19, Southern Polytechnic 2

#1 Lubbock Christian defeated Division III Hardin-Simmons, then swept three games against U. of Science and Arts of Oklahoma by a combined score of 39-4. (USAO is 26-9, with an ISR rating of #31.) The Chaparrals’ only loss during the past three weeks was a close one to Division I Texas Tech. Next up for the Chaparrals is Mid-America Christian April 10-11.

The Chaparrals are also #1 in Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating. Their strength of schedule ranking is #20; Concordia-Irvine is #1 in strength of schedule, Oklahoma City is #25, Southern Polytechnic is #18, and Point Loma Nazarene is #3.

Josh Kirkpatrick

#2 Oklahoma City won two of three against Oklahoma Baptist. Josh Kirkpatrick hit a three-run home run in Oklahoma Baptist’s 7-5 win. Kirkpatrick is hitting .385 for the Bison. The Stars defeated Oklahoma Christian 13-4. They visit Oklahoma Christian April 9-10, and host Oklahoma Wesleyan April 11.

#3 Southern Polytechnic swept three games against Faulkner. The Hornets host Brewton-Parker April 10-11, and #11 Berry on April 13. Southern Polytechnic and Berry are currently tied for the lead in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

#4 Point Loma Nazarene won two games against San Diego Christian, and split a double-header with Westmont. They defeated Division II San Francisco State 10-3. The Sea Lions host #7 Azusa Pacific April 9.

#5 Union (KY) defeated Berea 16-0, and swept Virginia Intermont 16-1, 15-2, and 19-3. The Bulldogs face a stiffer challenge at Montreat (ISR ranked #60) April 10-11. They visit Division III Spalding April 13, and host #9 Campbellsville April 14.

#6 Lewis-Clark State defeated Linfield, ranked #11 in Division III, and swept three games against Division II Saint Martin’s. The defending champions have an interesting week ahead. They host #16 Fresno Pacific April 8-10, and Western Oregon, ranked #18 in Division II, April 11-13. The Warriors will play 19 games over 19 days.

Jeff Sonnenberg

#7 Azusa Pacific lost two games to #16 Fresno Pacific, and swept San Diego Christian 32-6 and 7-6. They lost an exhibition game to the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7-4. The Cougars visit #4 Point Loma Nazarene on April 9, and Cal State San Marcos on April 14. The Cougars trail the Sea Lions by two games in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings.

#8 Madonna swept a double-header against Indiana Tech, 3-2 and 3-1. Jeff Sonnenberg (7-1, 1.64 ERA, six complete games, 39 strikouts, 6 bases on balls) and Kyle Bolton (5-1, 1.98 ERA) both pitched complete seven-inning games. The Crusaders visit Indiana Tech April 8, and play Siena Heights home and away April 11 and 13.

Brian Chase

#9 Campbellsville lost 8-3 to Cumberland; James Parker and Adam Sprague combined to hold the Tigers to five hits. The Tigers then swept three games against West Virginia Tech, one them a 14-0 blowout that was stopped after five innings. Brian Chase, a transfer from San Jose State, is batting .465 with ten home runs for the Tigers; Chris Curley is batting .398 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI. The Tigers visit Cumberland on April 8 (click here for live video) and Saint Catherine April 10-11.

Alex White

#10 British Columbia swept four games against Bethany (CA), 14-2, 3-1, 26-4, and 5-0. 2B Alex White went 9-15 for the series, with four doubles, and a highlight-reel snag of a line drive that was well out of the infield. The Thunderbirds have a matchup April 11-12 with NAIA West rival #23 College of Idaho; The Coyotes lead the Thunderbirds by ½ game in the standings.

#15 Embry-Riddle lost two of three against #13 Warner. The Eagles will play an exhibition game against the Class A Daytona Cubs on April 8. They host Edward Waters April 10-11.