NAIA recap for March 12

Kaohi Downing - Point Loma Nazarene

#1 Oklahoma City swept a three-game series against Rogers State, and defeated Calumet. The Stars are now 22-1, but they get their first serious challenge of the season with a series at #17 Wayland Baptist March 15-16.

#2 Lee swept Emmanuel, but trailed Trevecca Nazarene 8-6 after 6 1/2 innings. The Flames closed to 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Junior Rodriguez. The winning run came in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by Julian Alvarez. The Flames then lost their second game of the season while splitting a double-header with Milligan (Johnson City, TN). The loss was 2-1, and the winning run was scored when Spencer Street was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Flames are now 23-2. They visit Faulkner March 13-14, and Trevecca Nazarene March 17.

#3 Point Loma Nazarene defeated San Diego Christian, and swept Cal Baptist 3-1 and 3-2. RF Kaohi Downing and 3B Wes Kartch hit home runs in the first game, and Downing hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the second game. It was Downing’s seventh home run of the season. The Sea Lions also defeated Vanguard, bringing their record to 16-5. The Sea Lions continue to be tied with #8 Azusa Pacific and #19 The Master’s for the lead in the Golden State Athletic Conference; all three teams have 11-2 conference records. The Sea Lions host The Master’s on March 14, and Cal State San Marcos on March 17.

#4 Spring Arbor is scheduled to start their season at Southeastern on March 14, then go to the Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven March 16-21.

#5 Union (KY) didn’t have any trouble sweeping Covenant, but they lost 15-10 to #20 U. of the Cumberlands. 3B Devin Hicks hit two home runs in the second inning for the Partiots, who are now 9-4-1, and will host Campbellsville March 13-14.

The Bulldogs  then split with Asbury (Wilmore, KY), making their record 16-3-1; they visit Bryan March 13-14, and host Bluefield March 16.

#6 Bellevue lost a game to Saint Ambrose, and has won seven straight since then, making their record 9-4. In the most recent game, against Webber International, they trailed 13-10 going into the ninth inning, but erupted for eight runs; the final score was 19-14, and Webber International was charged with seven errors. The Bruins close out their Florida trip with games against Warner March 12-13, and play a game at Concordia-Nebraska on March 17 before their home opener against Graceland on March 18.

Sammie Starr

#7 Lewis-Clark State lost two of three to #24 British Columbia. The last time the defending champions lost a three-game series was in 2004, at Division I Nevada. SS Sammie Starr was 7-11 for the series for the Thunderbirds, and reached base 13 of the 15 times he came to bat. The Thunderbirds are 12-3, and have their home opener against Corban March 13-14. The Warriors are now 10-5, and they will play their first road games of the season March 14-15 at the College of Idaho, who is 10-5.

#8 Azusa Pacific defeated #12 Fresno Pacific, swept Westmont, and defeated Cal Baptist to keep pace with Point Loma Nazarene and The Master’s. The Cougars are 21-3. They host Biola March 14.

#9 Lubbock Christian swept a three-game series at Division I Houston Baptist. Tyler Johnson batted .545 for the series. The winning pitchers were R.L. Eisenbach, Charlie Aceto, and Rene Garcia. The Chaparrals are now 18-1. They host Southern Nazarene March 13-14, and Texas Wesleyan March 16.

#10 LSU-Shreveport swept Spring Hill, and defeated Texas College. The Pilots are 24-3, and lead the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Brent Lavalee now has 13 home runs and 53 RBI, and is batting .404. The Pilots host U. of Mobile, who is 15-12, March 13-14.

#13 Embry-Riddle lost to Milligan 8-3 in 12 innings, but defeated #15 Cumberland and Jamestown. The Eagles are 16-9. They host Aquinas March 12, Missouri Baptist March 13-14, and Indiana Tech March 16-17.

The Eagles have two 25-year-olds in their lineup, LHP Travis Bearden and IF David Reed. They came to Embry-Riddle after serving in the Marines. Bearden played for UC Davis in 2003 and 2004. Story from the Embry-Riddle site: 25 Never Looked Better for Eagles Baseball

#19 The Master’s lost to Cal State San Marcos, and swept Concordia-Irvine. In the second game against Concordia-Irvine, Joe Zeller pitched a complete seven-inning game, struck out 12. He is 4-0, 2.54 ERA with 44 strikeouts. The Mustangs defeated Fresno Pacific 6-5 in 11 innings; RF Eric Blackwell hit a home run to win it, and  David Goodenough pitched five innings in relief, allowing one run on two hits. The Mustangs are 21-5. They visit Point Loma Nazarene March 14.

#25 Park won two games against Sioux Falls, and had two more games rained out. The Pirates are 12-0. Next up is four games against William Penn, who is 12-6, March 14-15. A double-header against Central Methodist was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.