May 29, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Travis Granberry's solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 10^th inning gave Auburn University-Montgomery a dramatic 7-6 victory over Bellevue University of Nebraska in loser-out play at the 50^th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field on Monday.

Auburn-Montgomery, 49-19, rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning - both with two outs - to force extra innings after Bellevue broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth with two runs.

Granberry left little doubt as he took a 3-1 pitch from reliever Noah Russo and put it deep over the left-field fence for his 14^th home run of the season.

The Senators had things their way early in the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after three innings. Michael Herndon's two-run home run highlighted a three-run third inning for AUM.

Bellevue, which finishes the season at 41-19, rallied with a run ion the fourth on Blake Busson's RBI double, and then added two more in the top of the fifth on Joe Evans' two-run home run to right field, his 10^th homer of the season.

Bellevue tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh on a double by Scott Raternan.

The Bruins then took their first lead in the game in the ninth with two runs. With runners on first and second and two outs, JP Lapointe hit a hard grounder to short that took a funny high hop over the head of AUM shortstop Matthew Keel to make it 5-4. Scott Madsen then singled in another run.

Ryan Nelson started the AUM rally in the ninth with a single, but the next two batters lined out. Matthew Keel eventually earned a walk after a 1-2 count and then next batter was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Britt Clayton then singled to center to drive in two runs, but Herndon grounded out to end the rally.

Mike Pratt singled in the top of the 10^th with two outs, but was left stranded on first. Granberry ended the game and started a wild AUM celebration with his home run.

Kelley and Clayton had two hits and two RBI apiece for Auburn-Montgomery, while Evans went 3-for-6 with two runs and two RBI for Bellevue, which out-hit AUM 14-9 in the contest.

AUM's fifth pitcher of the game, Hunter Farish, picked up the win to go to 4-1 on the season. Russo, 5-3, took the loss.

AUM is scheduled to return to action Tuesday at 11 a.m. Pacific time, but that could change. Depending on the rest of the results Monday, teams who have already faced each other will be moved so such matchups won't take place on Tuesday.

-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.