LEWISTON, Idaho
– Jeff Nicholas hit a two-run single to cap
a three-run eighth inning to help No. 10
seed Walsh University defeat No. 7 seed St.
Thomas University 3-2 in the opening round
of the 51st annual Avista NAIA
World Series at Lewis-Clark State College’s
Harris Field on Friday.
Walsh,
29-28 overall, trailed 2-0 going into the
eighth inning but struck for four hits and
three runs off St. Thomas starter Eddie
Machin, who had pretty much cruised to that
point.
Chad
Campbell got the rally started with a
single, and Ryan Indorf and Jason Pettigrew
followed with singles to load the bases with
no outs. Relief pitcher Osmar Chaviano
walked Rollin Matsui to force in a run, and
after a strikeout, Nicholas followed with
his shallow single to right field to put
Walsh ahead.
The
outburst helped Walsh starter Andy Schon go
the distance to pick up the win. The senior
right-hander allowed nine hits and two
walks, but also struck out 10 to improve to
9-5 on the season.
St.
Thomas, 46-15-1, had its chances, but left
nine runners on base. Until the big
inning, Machin had shut down Walsh. He ended
up with a seven-hitter and he struck out six
and walked three.
St.
Thomas took a 1-0 lead in the first inning
on a solo home run by Angel Hernandez. The
Bobcats made it 2-0 in the sixth when two
singles and a hit batter loaded the bases.
Adrian Gonzalez then grounded into a
fielder’s choice, which allowed a run to
score.
Pettigrew had two of Walsh’s eight hits in
the game. Hernandez went 3-for-5 with an RBI
and a run scored for St. Thomas, while
teammate Daniel DiFabio went 3-for-4 with a
run scored.
The win
allowed Walsh to climb above .500 for only
the second time this season. Walsh will now
play No. 2 seed Spring Arbor of Michigan on
Saturday at 3 p.m., Pacific time. St. Thomas
will face the loser of the Friday’s game
between Lee and Lewis-Clark State at noon on
Saturday.
NAIA
A leader in the development of
student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to
changing the culture of sport through
Champions of Character.
Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a
pioneer in implementing exceptional
standards for academics, diversity, and
character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23
collegiate championships in 13 sports for
its nearly 300 member institutions
throughout the United States and Canada. To
learn more about the NAIA visit
www.naia.org.
