May 29, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Jessie Mier and Matt Vogel each hit three-run home runs in a seven-run fourth inning and Allen Balmer added five hits to power top-ranked Lewis-Clark State College over Concordia University of Irvine, Calif., 17-2 in a loser-out contest at the 50^th annual Avista NAIA World Series at LCSC's Harris Field on Monday.

The Warriors, the No. 3 seed in the tournament at 44-8, pounded out 19 hits in the contest, including five for extra bases, to dominate the Eagles, who finish their season at 34-17-1.

Leading 1-0 entering the fourth, the Warriors took advantage of seven hits to score seven runs. Justin Fuller, Balmer and Jose Castenon hit consecutive singles to produce a run and Mier followed with a three-run home run to deep right-center field for his sixth home run of the season. Paul Martin and Mark Thompson then singled to set up Vogel's three-run shot to left-center, his fourth of the year.

LCSC added two more in the fifth as Mier had an RBI single, while Martin drove in the other run on a fielder's choice.

The Warriors, who were ranked No. 1in the NAIA polls throughout the season but are the No. 3 seed because they are the host team for the tournament, struck for two more runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Balmer and an error.

Concordia, the No. 8 seed in the 10-team double-elimination tournament, finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eight on a base-loaded double by Jake Haaker to drive in two runs.

However, LCSC continued to flex its muscles at the plate and came up with six hits to score five runs in the top of the ninth. The big blow was a three-run home run by Juan Verdejo, his second of the year.

Mier led the way for LCSC with four RBI, while Vogel and Verdejo had two each. Balmer went 5-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Balmer missed a chance at tying an NAIA Series record of six hits by flying out to center in the ninth inning.

Daniel Robertson and Justin Bird had two hits apiece for the Eagles.

LCSC starter Mike Miller went 3.2 innings and allowed just two hits before coming out of the game with a groin injury. His replacement, Jeff Duda, allowed two hits and struck out four over the next 3.1 innings to earn the win and improve to 4-1 on the season.

Concordia starter Cody Wilkinson was touched for eight hits and eight runs, all earned, in 3.2 innings. Concordia used six pitchers in the game to try to cool LCSC's bats.

The Warriors resume play on Tuesday, tentatively at 3 p.m., Pacific time. That time could change because the Series has a policy that teams which have already met can't meet again until later in the tournament so the bracket may have to change, depending on the outcome of Monday's two winner's bracket games.

-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.