Share

#1 Oklahoma City lost their first game of the Season on March 2, but it took 13 innings to do it. The loss was 4-3 to Iowa Wesleyan, who is 9-6. Starter Jorge Martinez pitched ten innings for Iowa Wesleyan, allowed 13 hits, but only three runs. Hector Acevedo held the Stars to two hits over the remaining three innings. Edwin Jimenez hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the winning run.

The Stars are now 18-1. They play a Rogers State team that is 10-6 away-and-home March 5 and 7.

#2 Lee is 18-1, but they trailed going into the bottom of the ninth at Tennessee Temple on March 3. The Flames ended up winning 10-6 in ten innings. Elvis Sosa is hitting .508 with eight home runs for the Flames. Matthew Gilson is 3-0, 0.46 ERA. Next up for the Flames is Emmanuel March 6-7. They get a stiffer test against Trevecca Nazarene on March 10. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, British Columbia, Cal Baptist, Cumberland, Embry-Riddle, Fresno Pacific, Houston Baptist, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, LSU-Shreveport, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma City, Park, Point Loma Nazarene, Spring Arbor, The Master's, Trevecca Nazarene, U. of the Cumberlands, Union

Share

Results of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll for February 24, 2009. Comments below:

RANK	SCHOOL (1st PLACE VOTES)	2009 RECORD	TOTAL POINTS
1	Oklahoma City University (16)	13-0	527
2	Lee University (Tenn.) (2)	12-1	513
3	Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.)	11-2	455
4	Spring Arbor University (Mich.)	0-0	452
5	Union College (Ky.)	9-0-1	437
6	Bellevue University (Neb.)	0-0	427
7	Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (1)	5-3	424
8	Azusa Pacific University (Calif.)	13-1	407
9	Lubbock Christian (Texas)	9-1	406
10	LSU-Shreveport	15-2	402
11	Southern Polytechnic (Ga.)	11-1	391
12	Fresno Pacific University (Calif.)	11-1	324
13	Embry-Riddle (Fla.)	7-5	312
14	Texas Wesleyan University	9-1	295
15	Cumberland University (Tenn.)	6-3	276
16	University of St. Francis (Ill.)	0-0	275
17	Wayland Baptist (Texas)	15-3	259
18	Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.)	9-6	192
19	The Master’s College (Calif.)	14-4	162
20	U. of the Cumberlands (Ky.)	2-2-1	157
21	Warner University (Fla.)	7-3	152
22	Ohio Dominican University	0-0	124
23	Montreat College (N.C.)	6-2	101
24	University of British Columbia	8-1	92
25	Park University (Mo.)	6-0	81

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Cal State San Marcos, Cumberland, Embry-Riddle, Fresno Pacific, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, LSU-Shreveport, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma City, Point Loma Nazarene, Spring Arbor, Texas Wesleyan, The Master's, Union

Share

#1 Lewis-Clark State lost their opener to Concordia-Portland 5-4, and this was the first time the Cavaliers have beaten the Warriors in 42 attempts. Steven Taft got the win in relief for the Cavaliers, and C Tommy Whalen doubled in the winning run in the top of the ninth, but the key player in the win was starter Ben Rue, who went six innings, and held the Warriors to two runs on six hits.

The defending champions won their next three games. They host another tournament this weekend, with Northwest Nazarene, Saint Martin’s, and Dickinson State. They host Gonzaga on Feb. 25.

#2 Lee is now 9-0. LHP Mitch Davidson has two mercy-rule-shortened no-hitters for the Flames, and only one of their wins was close. They visit Georgetown College Feb. 20-21, and Montreat Feb. 24. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Biola, Concordia-Portland, Embry-Riddle, Fresno Pacific, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, LSU-Shreveport, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma City, Park, Point Loma Nazarene, Savannah College of Art and Design, The Master's, U. of the Cumberlands, Union

Share

Top NAIA teams starting their season this week:

#2 Lee hosts Illinois Tech Feb. 6-7, and goes to Tennessee Wesleyan Feb. 10.

#4 Oklahoma City visits Northwood (TX) Feb. 6-7.

#7 U. of the Cumberlands hosts #9 Union (KY) on Feb. 10.

#8 Lubbock Christian Travels to Texas-Brownsville Feb. 6-8.

#4 Biola has started the season 1-5, with an opening loss to Simpson, four losses at Hawaii-Pacific, and a win over Hawaii-Hilo. They play at San Diego Christian on Feb. 7, host Cal Poly-Pomona on Feb. 7, and host Vanguard on Feb. 11. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Auburn-Montgomery, Azusa Pacific, Biola, Embry-Riddle, Lee, LSU-Shreveport, Lubbock Christian, NAIA, Oklahoma City, Point Loma Nazarene, The Master's, Trevecca Nazarene, U. of the Cumberlands, Union

Share

Two of the NAIA’s pre-season favorites start their seasons this weekend.

#4 Biola hosts Simpson today.They will then make a trip to Hawaii, playing Hawaii Pacific Feb. 2-3, and Hawaii-Hilo Feb. 4.

#5  Embry-Riddle opens their season in Lakeland, FL, at Southeastern, on Feb. 3.

#10 LSU-Shreveport, already 3-0 on the season, have their home opener against LSU-Alexandria Jan. 30-31, and host Southern Arkansas on Feb. 4. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Auburn-Montgomery, Azusa Pacific, Biola, Cal Baptist, Embry-Riddle, LSU-Shreveport, NAIA, Point Loma Nazarene, Tennessee Wesleyan

Share

Updated at 1:05 AM PDT.

Results from Day 3 of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID:

Spring Arbor 11, Azusa Pacific 10 (Azusa Pacific eliminated)

Spring Arbor started off the Cougars vs. Cougars battle with five runs in the top of the first, chasing Azusa Pacific starter Matt Stone. APU came back with two runs in the second (home run by DH Chris Feicht), one in the third, two in the fourth (home run by RF Drew Evans), and one in the fifth. SAU got a run in the fourth on an RBI single by CF Jon Schaible, so the game was tied 6-6 going into the seventh inning.

SAU got the lead back on a two-run home run by 1B Jim Baker in the top of the seventh. APU got one back in the bottom of the seventh on a home run by 1B Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and the game went into the ninth with SAU hanging on to an 8-7 lead.

SAU scored three runs in the top of the ninth on a two-RBI double by Eric Vojtkofski, and an RBI single by RF Jonathan Herbig. They needed all three of them. APU responded with an RBI double by Feicht, and a two-RBI single by Evans. However, SAU reliever Joseph Myers struck out Carlos Maddox to end the game and APU’s season.

This was a well-played game despite the batting-practice run totals. APU out-hit SAU 18-12. There were several good defensive plays, including a diving catch of a bunt attempt by Nieuwenhuis in the top of the seventh, and a catch of a fly ball in right-field foul territory by Herbig in the bottom of the seventh. SAU got a couple of double plays in the early going to make the APU comeback more difficult.

Myers got the win, and Garrett Hodges got the loss. Herbig finished the game 3-5 with 3 RBI. 2B Grant Beyer went 3-3 with a double for APU.

Box score Play-by-play

Story from NAIA site: No. 7 Spring Arbor Wins Offensive Display 11-10 Against No. 4 Azusa Pacific

Embry-Riddle 6, Bellevue 1 (Bellevue eliminated)

Jordan Roberts recovered from a didn’t-finish-
the-first-inning performance on Friday to pitch a complete game for the Eagles, holding the Bruins to five hits. He struck out seven, walked two, and threw 120 pitches.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Embry-Riddle, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, Oklahoma City, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

Updated at 11:55 PM PDT.
Results from Day 2 of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID:

Azusa Pacific 9, Ohio Dominican 2 (Ohio Dominican eliminated)

Jonny Bravo pitched a complete game for the Cougars, and held the Panthers to eight hits, struck out 11, and walked two. He threw 145 pitches.

The Cougars got a run in the first inning on an error. They got two runs in the second on an RBI double by RF Drew Evans, and an RBI single by 3B Ryan Dowell; the Dowell RBI was the winning run.

Evans was 2-4 with a home run, and 1B Brice Cutspec was 2-3 with a double and two RBI.

Box score Play-by-play

Story from NAIA site: Bravo Pitches Azusa Pacific Past Ohio Dominican, 9-2

Embry-Riddle 10, Jamestown 5 (Jamestown eliminated)

The Eagles recovered from the thrashing they received from Lewis-Clark State by out-hitting the Jimmies 12-6. The game was tied 3-3 going into the sixth inning, but the Eagles got four runs in the sixth on a two-RBI single by 3B Colin Gray, a run scored when C Eric Ogden was hit by a pitch, and a run walked in, with RF Alex Guzman drawing the walk.

Chris Maloney went eight innings for the Eagles, allowed five earned runs on six hits, struck out six, and walked two.

Ben Cairns and Jeremy Burgard hit home runs for the Jimmies.

Box score Play-by-play

Story from NAIA site: Embry-Riddle Stays Alive, Wipes out Jamestown 10-5
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Embry-Riddle, Jamestown, Lewis-Clark State, Ohio Dominican, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

Results from Day 1 of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID:

Spring Arbor 7, Jamestown 5

A methodical win for the Cougars, who scored runs in the first and second innings on RBI singles by 1B Eric Vojtkofsky and C Lucas Rider. The Jimmies tied it at 2-2 in the third on a two-RBI double by 1B JordanDusanj, and took a brief lead on a run scored on an error in the fourth.

The Cougars went ahead for good on RBI by SS Bradley Baker and Vojtkofsky in the fifth, and got the winning run in the eighth on an RBI single by Rider.

Starting pitcher Jesse Bachman had a big day for the Cougars. He went seven innings, threw 129 pitches, allowed three earned runs on nine hits, and struck out six. He was also 3-4 at the plate, and drew a walk.

Vojtkofsky was 3-5 for the game. RF Cam McLachlan was 4-5 with a double for the Jimmies. Graham Campbell got the loss.

Box score Play-by-play

Story from NAIA site: No. 7 Spring Arbor Wins Opening Game of 2008 AVISTA-NAIA World Series

Bellevue 15, Ohio Dominican 3 (mercy-ruled after 8 innings)

It took three hours and 40 minutes to play this one. It was close for the first five innings, but the Bruins broke it open with five runs in the sixth on an RBI doubles by CF Dave Powell and RF Nick Damas, and a grand-slam double by 2B Andy Brown. The game was taken into mercy-rule territory in the eighth with an RBI single by Damas and a three-run pinch-hit home run by William Slade; it was Slade’s second home-run of the season.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Embry-Riddle, Jamestown, Lewis-Clark State, Ohio Dominican, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

Schedule for the first day of the NAIA Baseball National Championship, Friday, May 23, Harris Field, Lewiston, ID (all times PDT):

---

8:30 AM: #7 seed Spring Arbor (37-7) vs. #10 Jamestown (32-18)

Spring Arbor, located in Spring Arbor, MI, is last year’s runner-up.

Significant wins: Bellevue, Madonna, Saint Xavier (2)
Top position players: Jim Baker (.528, 8 HR, 50 RBI), Jonathan Herbig (.385, 1 HR, 31 RBI), Brad Baker (.368, 7 HR, 39 RBI). Baker’s average is the best in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: Colin O’Connell (9-1, 1.95 ERA), Jesse Bachman (8-2, 2.43 ERA), Cody Sharp (7-1, 3.99 ERA)
Coach: Sam Riggleman, 4^th season
Outlook: The Cougars won’t repeat last year’s runner-up performance.

Jamestown (Jamestown, ND) is making their first appearance in the Baseball National Championship since 2004.

Significant wins: Saint Xavier (2), Bellevue (2)
Top position players: Ben Cairns (.399, 8 HR, 37 RBI), Cam McLachlan (.383, 6 HR, 37 RBI)
Top pitchers: Steve Hirchert (4-0, 2.78 ERA), Graham Campbell (9-4, 4.66 ERA)
Coach: Tom Hager, 9^th season
Outlook: The Jimmies are looking for their first-ever win in this tournament. They should get it this time.

---

11 AM: #8 Bellevue (51-15) vs. #9 Ohio Dominican (40-14)

Bellevue (Bellevue, NE) is making their twelvth appearance in the national championship tournament. They finished fourth last year.

Significant wins: Jamestown
Top position players: Matt Anderson (.421, 7 HR, 43 RBI), Nick Damas (.419, 11 HR, 44 RBI)
Top pitchers: Ulysses Roque (12-1, 1.87 ERA), Jon Ganzen (8-0, 2.47 ERA)
Coach: Mike Evans, 20^th season
Outlook: The Bruins will get a win against Ohio Dominican.

Ohio Dominican (Columbus, OH) is making their first national championship tournament appearance since 2005.

Significant wins: Embry-Riddle, Missouri Baptist, Saint Xavier (2)
Top position players: Joe Janusik (.425, 3 HR, 50 RBI), Matt Shiring (.371, 4 HR, 22 RBI)
Top pitchers: David Colopy (11-1, 1.98 ERA), Jonathan Kountis (6-2, 3.26 ERA)
Coach: Paul Page, 21^st season
Outlook: The Panthers are happy to be here.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Embry-Riddle, Jamestown, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, Ohio Dominican, Oklahoma City, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

West Coast Super Regional – At Harris Field, Lewiston, ID:

Lewis-Clark State 4, Azusa Pacific 3
Matt Fitts pitched a complete game for the Warriors, allowed six hits, struck out nine. Ikaika Lester hit a home run, and singled in the winning run in the seventh inning.

Lewis-Clark State wins their second straight West Coast Super Regional, and Azusa Pacific gets an at-large berth in the national championship tournament.

Plains Super Regional – At Jamestown, ND:

Jamestown 12, Bellevue 6
Cam McLachlan batted in the winning run in the top of the fifth. Nick Damas and Matt Anderson hit home runs for Bellevue.

Jamestown qualifies for the national championship tournament. Bellevue will get an at-large berth if Oklahoma City wins the Mid-South Super Regional.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Cumberland, Embry-Riddle, Jamestown, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, Oklahoma City, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

West Coast Super Regional – At Harris Field, Lewiston, ID:

Lewis-Clark State 4, Azusa Pacific 3
Sean Halton went 4-4 with a home run for the Warriors. Michael Guerrero went seven innings, got the win. Warrior Coach Ed Cheff was ejected in the second inning.

Next game: Thursday, May 15, 6 PM PDT.

All Lewis-Clark State games are webcast by KOZE. Both teams have already qualified for the national championship tournament.

Plains Super Regional – At Jamestown, ND:

Jamestown 6, Bellevue 5
Ben Cairns hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to win it for the Jimmies.

Next game: Thursday, May 15, 1 PM CDT.

Live play-by-play is available from Jamestown.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Bellevue, Cumberland, Embry-Riddle, Lee, Lewis-Clark State, Oklahoma City, Spring Arbor, Union

Share

Region I – At Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver, BC:

Lewis-Clark State 11, Concordia-Portland 3
The Warriors have never lost to Concordia-Portland during the 32 years that Ed Cheff has coached them.

College of Idaho 3, British Columbia 0
Jake Bottari gets a four-hit, complete game shutout for the Coyotes. College of Idaho 3, UBC 0 Story from tbirdbaseball.net

Friday, May 9 (All times PDT):

10 AM: British Columbia vs. Concordia-Portland
2 PM: #2 Lewis-Clark State vs. College of Idaho
6 PM: 10 AM winner vs. 2 PM loser

All Lewis-Clark State games are webcast by KOZE.
All British Columbia games are webcast by 777online.

Region II – At Azusa Pacific University:

Azusa Pacific 18, Fresno Pacific 12

Concordia-Irvine 12, Biola 6 (Biola eliminated)

Concordia-Irvine vs. Fresno Pacific (late; Concordia led 21-12 in the eighth inning)

Friday, May 9:

2 PM: Azusa Pacific vs. Concordia-Fresno Pacific winner

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Azusa Pacific, Biola, British Columbia, Concordia-Irvine, Lewis-Clark State, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma City