The Lewis-Clark State baseball team came up short again and was eliminated by Embry-Riddle of Florida 10-7 Tuesday at the NAIA World Series.
Despite a five-run first inning, the top-seed Warriors weren’t able to hold off the Eagles and went one and two for the second straight tournament.
Right-handed closer Phillip Reamy scattered six hits, struck out six and walked none in 6-and-two-thirds innings of relief and improved to a perfect 5-0 on the year for Embry-Riddle.
Offensively, third-baseman Steve Sabins homered and drove in three runs and Brandon Roper-Hubbert added his 11th homer and drove in two as the Eagles improved to 47-18.
The Warriors were led by junior Brian Gaylord who had a three-run homerun – his 8th of the year, and senior designated hitter Pat Murray had two hits, two runs batted in and hit his 10th dinger in the loss.
LC ends its season tied for the fewest losses in a season at 48-5.
In other action – Point Loma Nazarene of California eliminated perennial power Oklahoma City 8-5.
Right-hander Chad Blauer was the story on the mound as the Sea Lion’s hurler posted his second complete game victory of the series in a 166 pitch effort. He allowed five runs – only three earned on 9 hits and struck out 11 hitters in improving to 13-2 on the year.
With the win Point Loma improved to 41-19-1.
Oklahoma City ended its season with a record of 50-16.
In the winner’s bracket – 2nd seed Cumberland of Tennessee exploded for 10 runs in the first two innings, including a three-run homerun from right-fielder Kris Miller and held on for an 11-9 win over Lee of Tennessee. Left-fielder Troy Frazier homered twice for the Bulldogs, who banged out 12 hits overall.
On the mound, Robert Post provided 8-and-one-third innings of relief and threw 125 pitches to up his record to 7-3.
Wednesday’s scheduled will pit Embry-Riddle in an elimination game against Lee at 3pm, while Cumberland will look to eliminate Point Loma and move into position for a two-for-one oppportunity to win the national championship at 7pm.
Both games can be heard online at www.koze-sports.com, and the Cumberland/Point Loma game will also be carried live on Talk Radio 950 KOZE-AM.
