Faulkner

NAIA baseball action during the past week, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking.

ISR #1 Lewis-Clark State is also #1 in strength of schedule. They swept four games against Menlo, 10-3, 8-1, 2-0, and 11-7. 2B Brian Corliss was 2-for-4 with a bases-loaded triple in the first game (story). RF Cody Lavalli went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the second game. Carsen Nylund and Steve Thompson combined for the shutout in the third game; Nylund went eight innings, allowed two hits, struck out eight. LF Jake Shirley scored the winning run on a ground out by CF Zach Holley in the first inning (story). Lavalli hit another home run in the fourth game, went 2-for-4 with four RBI (story).

The Warriors host Oregon Tech March 15-16 (streaming audio). They then travel to Daytona Beach, FL for six games, starting with Saint Thomas on March 18.

#2 Faulknerlost a mid-week game to Point, 3-2. All three of Point's runs were unearned, and Tommy Braddock got the win for the Skyhawks. The Eagles then lost the first game of a series at Spring Hill, 6-5 (ten innings). The Eagles trailed most of the game, but took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth on three unearned runs. The Badgers sent it into extra innings with an RBI single by 2B Brian Sims. The winning run came on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Trey Marshall. Douglas Keller, who allowed only one hit the last three innings, got the win (story).

The Badgers didn't get another run in the series; the Eagles won the remaining two games 6-0 and 11-0. Will Dismukes and Julian Esquibel pitched the shutouts. 1B Ethan Williams hit a three-run home run in the first game, and C Zach Colby went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in the second game. (story).

The Eagles are 21-4, and Esquibel is 6-0 in six starts, with an ERA of 1.05. The Eagles visit Blue Mountain March 12, and host #18 William Carey March 15-16.

Oklahoma City (19-4, 10-1 SAC) defeated Southern Nazarene12-11, and swept three games against Mid-America Christian, 15-5, 8-1, and 11-0. 2B Brian Fisher went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI, and two runs scored against Southern Nazarene. CC/RF Dane Phillips hit a three-run home run in the first game against Mid-America Christian. Cody Crabaugh got the win in the second game, allowed two hits in five innings. Davis Henderson, Will Patrigo, and Allen Townsend combined for the shutout in the third game; Henderson recorded ten strikeouts. The Stars host Bethany March 12, Southern Nazarene March 13, and Briar CliffMarch 17-18.

Concordia-Irvine (15-6, 7-1 GSAC) won two of three in a non-conference series against Cal State-San Marcos, losing 7-3 and winning 8-7 (10 innings) and 6-5. James Dykstra went the distance for the Cougars in the first game, allowed three runs on six hits, struck out seven. LF Kyle Konicek hit an RBI single for the winning run in the second game. CF John Doering laid down a bunt to score 2B Chris Limus for the winning run in the third game. The Eagles visit Point Loma NazareneMarch 16, host Point Loma Nazarene March 17, and host Sioux Falls18 and 21. The Eagles are tied with Azusa Pacificfor the lead in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

NAIA baseball action during the past week, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking.

#1 Lewis-Clark Stateswept #8 College of Idaho,8-0, 6-2, 10-2, and 9-3. Michael Noteware, Colton Wright, and Joe Mello combined for a one-hitter in the first game; Noteware went six innings, allowed the only hit, struck out five. The four Coyotes' runs in the second and third games came from two two-run home runs by SS Mitch Skaggs. Dillon Keene got the win in relief in the fourth game, allowed one hit in two innings. The Warriors visit Menlo March 21, 22, and 24.

#2 British Columbiaswept a four-game series at #6 Concordia-Portland,3-1, 11-2, 2-1, and 14-6 (12 innings). Sean Callegari got the win in the first game, went seven innings, allowed one run on five hits, struck out eight. The Thunderbirds got all the runs they needed in the second game in the second inning, with a bases-loaded triple by 2B Matt Spillman. Conor Lillis-White got the win, allowed one hit in five innings. C Cam Firth hit an RBI double with two out in the top of the ninth for the winning run in the third game. Curtis Taylor got the win, pitched a perfect eighth inning. Bryan Pawlina pitched the first seven innings, allowed one run on three hits, struck out eight. It took the Thunderbirds 12 innings to complete the sweep. They left the go-ahead run on third in the top of the ninth. Curtis Taylor got the Thunderbirds out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth. He was greeted with a double by SS Christian Lichtenhale. Taylor struck out the next batter, then got a ground out, which moved the potential winning run to third base. Taylor intentionally walked the next batter, and struck out the one after that to send it into extra innings. The Cavaliers ran out of pitchers in the 12th inning.

NAIA baseball action during the past week, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking.

ISR #1 Lewis-Clark State is #8 in strength of schedule. They swept four games against Oregon Tech, 13-3, 8-2, 20-1, and 12-9. Garrett Wilson went the distance in the second game, allowed eight hits, struck out four (story). 3B/1B Brady Steiger went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the third game, and Ryan Sells got the win (story). Steiger was 12-for-16 with five doubles and two home runs for the series, and he is batting .482.

The Warriors then won the first of six games in Daytona Beach, FL. They defeated Saint Thomas 3-2. DH Eric Peterson singled in the winning run, and Carson Nylund got the win (story).

The Warriors play at #12 Embry-Riddle March 19, 21, 22, and 23, and play Webber International March 20 in Daytona Beach.

#2 Cal State San Marcos swept four games against Vanguard, 3-0, 6-2, 5-1, and 8-1. James Dykstra pitched the first eight innings of the shutout in the first game, allowed two hits, struck out 10. 3B Kenny Belzer hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning for the winning run. The losing pitcher, Kanakani Usui, went the distance, allowed only five hits. The Lions were done in by four unearned runs on four errors in the second game. LF Kyle Kuck went 2-for-3, singled in the winning run, and pitched a hitless seventh inning (story). Steve Messner went the distance in the third game, allowed four hits. Belzer went 2-for-5, batted in three runs, including the winning run. Kevin Hilton went the seven-inning distance in the fourth game, allowed seven hits, struck out three. The Cougars' first two runs came on balks (story).

The Cougars are 19-2. Hilton is 4-0, 0.82 ERA, and Dykstra is 6-0, 1.15 ERA, with 53 strikeouts. The Cougars visit now-Division-II Point Loma Nazarene March 22, and host Point Loma March 23.

Oklahoma City (ISR #1) has won 23 straight. They defeated Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State 5-3 in mid-week, then swept U. Of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 8-4, 3-2, and 4-2. The Stars came from behind in the first game, and had to shut down late rallies by USAO in the second and third games. Corey Theriot, Allen Townsend, and Rich Hawkins got the wins.

The Stars lead the NAIA in fielding, with a .980 average. They host Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State on Tuesday, Hastingson Wednesday, and Saint Gregory'son Thursday. They visit Saint Gregory's on March 26.

Fresno Pacific (#2) won three of four against Cal Baptist(#3), and two of the wins were shutouts. Jesse Darrah pitched the first one, allowed two hits, walked none, struck out 12. The Sunbirds won 3-0 on home runs by 1B Wes Dorrell and C Michael Vaughn. The second shutout was 6-0; Aaron Lynn also allowed only two hits, struck out nine, and had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning. DH Michael Rivera hit a three-RBI double. Rivera got a save in the fourth game of the series, a 4-2 win for the Sunbirds. The Lancers' win was 4-3 in the second game of the series. 1B John Manzano hit an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to win it; Patrick Smith got the win in relief.

The Sunbirds are 17-9. Biola(#13) leads the Golden State Athletic Conference with an 11-4 record, and the Sunbirds and Lancers are tied for second place with an 11-5 record. The Sunbirds host Point Loma Nazareneon Wednesday, and visit Point Loma on March 26.

#1 Faulknerwon a midweek game against Point,5-4, and won two of three against Loyola-New Orleans, 4-5 (10 innings), 4-0, and 4-0. 2B Luis Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh for the win over Point. 3B Peyton Senner hit an RBI single in the tenth for the winning run for the Wolf Pack in the loss to Loyola. Wolf Pack relievers Stewart Campbell and Connor Thurman held the Eagles to one hit over the final three innings. Jeremy Holcombe pitched a complete seven-inning shutout in the second game, allowed three hits; Sanchez batted in the winning run in the first inning. Julian Esquibel one-upped Holcombe in the third game; he also held the Wolf Pack to three hits, but he also recorded 10strikeouts, didn't walk a batter. Sanchez went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

The defending champions are 14-3. They visit #8 Tennessee Wesleyan March 5, and Spring Hill March 7-8.

#2 Lewis-Clark State played in the Porter Park Classic in Portland, OR, and won two of three. They defeated Division II Montana State-Billings 4-2, lost to British Columbia2-0, and defeated host Concordia-Portland8-6. RF Cody Lavalli hit a two-run home run for the winning run against MSU-Billings; David Murillo got the win in relief, pitched three shutout innings, allowed two hits. Jeremy Newton and Alex Webb combined for the shutout for the Thunderbirds in the second game. Newton pitched seven innings, scattered 11 hits, was helped by two double plays. Webb got out of a jam in the eighth. The Warriors had runners at first and second with nobody out, and they were bunted to second and third. Webb got a fly out (not deep enough for the runner on third to score) and a strikeout. He recorded two more strikeouts in the ninth to finish the game. Both of the Birds' runs were in the early going. 1B Vinny Martin hit an RBI single in the first, and SS Tyson Popoff hit an RBI single in the second. In the third game, 2B Brian Corliss hit a two-RBI double in the seventh inning for the winning run. Corliss added a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning for the insurance run. Carsen Nylund got the win in relief.

The Thunderbirds also defeated MSU-BIllings and Concordia; Sean Callegari and Tyler Gillies got the wins. The tournament final between the Warriors and Thunderbirds was rained out. However, the Warriors and Thunderbirds get a rematch in Lewiston March 7-9. (This series was moved from Vancouver due to weather considerations.)

NAIA baseball action during the past week.

#1 Tennessee Wesleyan defeated Georgia Gwinnett 2-1, and won two of three against Saint Andrew's, 2-0, 6-5, and 2-3. The winning run against Georgia Gwinnett came on an RBI single by SS Wes Minton in the bottom of the ninth. Corey Rhoney and Noah Piard combined for the shutout in the first Saint Andrew's game; Rhoney went eight innings, allowed four hits, struck out seven. In the second game, the Knights out-hit the Bulldogs 12-7; the Bulldogs scored all six of their runs in the first inning. CF Travis Burnside hit a two-RBI single, then scored the winning run on a misplayed ground ball. In the third game, the defending champions were held to six hits by Joe McCarty and Evan Tucker. RF Michael Durig batted in all three of the Knights' runs.

The Bulldogs are now 15-5. They visit Belhaven March 5-6, host Milligan March 9-10, and host Ohio Christian March 11.

#2 LSU-Shreveport got an easy 15-5 mid-week win over Division III Louisiana College, but was swept by Texas Wesleyan, 5-1, 12-8, and 6-5. Derek Vaughn got the win for the Rams in the first game; he went six innings, allowed one run on two hits, struck out four. Connor Zamora and Nolan Barbee kept the Pilots off the board the rest of the way, and Zamora struck out three of the six batters he faced. CF Trevor Moon singled in the winning run (story). In the second game, the Rams scored ten runs in the second inning, capped by a three-RBI double by SS David Kiriakos. The Pilots out-hit the Rams 11-7 in the third game. They got within one run in the top of the ninth, and had the go-ahead run on first with nobody out. However, reliever Patrick Stanley got two strikeout and a fly out to end the game and get a save (story).

Northwood (TX), who has won seven straight, has the lead in the Red River Athletic Conference. The Rams are two games back, and the Pilots are three games back. The Pilots visit LSU-Alexandria March 5, and host Huston-Tillotson March 8-9. Streaming audio

Oklahoma City (15-4, 6-1 SAC) defeated Oklahoma Wesleyan12-4, and swept Northwestern Oklahoma State, 10-5, 3-0, and 10-2. 2B Brian Fisher went 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBI against Oklahoma Wesleyan. C Chad Carman hit a solo home run for the winning run in the first game against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Rich Hawkins pitched the shutout in the second game, allowed four hits. C/RF Dane Phillips hit a three-run home run in the third game, and got another RBI on a ground out. The Stars visit Southern NazareneMarch 6, host Mid-America Christian March 8 and 10, and visit Mid-America Christian March 9.

Concordia-Irvine (13-5, 7-1 GSAC) swept four games against Vanguard, 9-7 , 20-6, 10-9, and 14-4. Pinch-hitter Matt Taylor hit a two RBI double in the top of the ninth to win the first game. 1B Tony Harkey, Jr. hit two home runs and went 3-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored in the second game. LF Kyle Konicek when 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI in the third game, and 3B Ryan DiMascio went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the fourth game. The Eagles visit non-conference Cal State-San Marcos March 9, and visit Cal State-San Marcos March 10. The Eagles lead the Golden State Athletic Conference; The Master'sis second with a 6-2 record.

Lee(21-2, 9-0 SSAC) swept Milligan10-1 and 13-0. SS Edmanuel Rivera and 1B Roberto Reyes hit home runs in the first game. Dustin Lawson, Kyle Briner, and Joe Fabre combined for a two-hit shutout in the second game. The Flames then swept three games against Truett McConnell, 8-1, 3-2, and 14-4. Kris Hall went seven innings in the first game, allowed one run on three hits, struck out 12. The Flames were out-hit 5-4 in the second game, but 2B Blake Barber singled in a run in the bottom of the seventh to win it. LF Mike Moore went 3-for-4with a home run in the third game. The Flames visit BryanMarch 7 and Tennessee TempleMarch 8, then host Loyola-New OrleansMarch 9-10. Barber is batting .507 for the Flames.

Union U. (TN) 3, Faulkner 1: (at Hardeeville, SC): After defeating Asbury 7-1 earlier in the day, the Bulldogs defeated #5 Faulkner with a complete game by Will Irwin.

Irwin, a transfer from Auburn, held the Eagles to six hits, and the only run the Eagles scored was unearned. Irwin struck out eight, didn't walk a batter, and most of the balls put in play by Eagles batters were harmless ground outs. He threw 125 pitches. He was also 2-4 at the plate.

Eagles starter Will Dismukes matched Irwin's performance for the first five innings, and the Eagles had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. However, the Bulldogs loaded the bases, and 1B Kody Pinson drew a walk to bring in the tying run, scored by Wacey Russell, the courtesy runner for Irwin. C Doug Joyce hit a two-RBI double in the seventh to bring in the winning run. Joyce went 3-for-5 for the game.

The NAIA Coaches' Poll for April 1, 2014, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking.

First place votes:Faulkner 19, Oklahoma Baptist 1, Lewis-Clark State 1
Lewis-Clark State is #1 in Strength of Schedule

#1 Faulknerwon two of three against #25 Mobile, 3-6, 12-0, and 11-3. Both starters, Jeff Price for the Rams and Thomas Dorminy for the Eagles, went the seven-inning distance in the first game. Price allowed two earned runs on eight hits. Price was helped by double plays in the fifth and sixth innings, and the defending champions left the bases loaded in the seventh. The winning run was the result of two walks and two wild pitches. The win was the 800th at Mobile for Head Coach Mike Jacobs. Story Jeremy Holcombe and Vinny Lujan combined for a mercy-rule-shortened shutout in the second game. The Blazers got eight runs from walks, hit batters, and errors. SS Dauris Holguin went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI in the third game. Kurt Lipscomb pitched six shutout innings, allowed four hits.

The Eagles visit #16 Brewton-Parker April 4-5.

#2 Oklahoma Baptistwon two of three over Wayland Baptist, 9-0, 2-1, and 5-6. Julian Merryweather pitched the complete-game shutout in the first game, allowed three hits, struck out nine. CF Joey Szczepanski went 2-for-2 with two RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. The Bison won the second game on and RBI single by C Mason Ankeney in the bottom of the seventh of a seven-inning game. Jordan Morales went the distance, allowed six hits; Morales is 7-0 for the season. 2B Braden Blackwell scored the winning run in the top of the ninth in the third game for the Pioneers on a throwing error. The Bison left the tying run on third in the bottom of the ninth. Cachot Duncan got the win in relief for the Pioneers. He pitched the final four innings, alowed one run (unearned) on one hit.

The Bison then defeated #12 Tabor6-5 on a home run by 2B Ridge Hoopii-Haslam in the bottom of the ninth. The Bluejays led 5-2 after three innings, but Jinny Parra took over on the mound for the Bison, and allowed only two hits the rest of the way; he struck out eight.

The Pioneers continue to lead the Sooner Athletic Conference. #10 Oklahoma City is one game behind, and the Bison are 1 ½ games behind. The Bison visit Texas Wesleyan April 4-5.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 10, 2012, with Boyd Nation's Iterative Strength Rating (ISR):

First place votes: LSU-Shreveport 17, Oklahoma City 1, Azusa Pacific 1

Azusa Pacific is #1 in Strength of Schedule

LSU-Shreveport (17-3 RRAC) swept Houston-Victoria9-0, 3-1, and 8-0. Matt Lackie pitched a three-hit shutout in the first game, and Jared Mortensen pitched a seven-inning three-hit shutout in the third game, struck out eleven. Logan Norris nearly got a third shutout, but the Jaguars scored a run in the last inning. SS Manny Estrada hit a two-RBI triple. A scheduled game at Division II Southern Arkansas was rained out. Mortensen has an ERA of 1.09, third-best in the NAIA. The Pilots host Texas-BrownsvilleApril 13-14. The Pilots have won 14 straight, and lead the Red River Athletic Conference; Texas-Brownsville is second with a with a 15-6 conference record.

Lee(21-3 SSAC) defeated Cumberland6-3, and swept three games against Southern Polytechnic, 9-7, 6-5, and 7-0. 1B Roberto Reyes hit a grand slam home run with two out in the bottom of the ninth to win the first game against Southern Polytechnic. LF Mike Moore hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh of a seven-inning game for the winning run in the second game. Vince Spilker, Kyle Briner, and Andy Hillis combined for the shutout in the third game; 2B Blake Barber batted in three runs. The Flames host Tennessee WesleyanApril 11, and Auburn-MontgomeryApril 13-14. The Flames and #4 Faulknercontinue to be tied for the Southern States Athletic Conference lead.

Oklahoma City(18-3 SAC) won two of three games against Rogers State, 5-3, 1-3, and 6-5 (eight innings, scheduled for seven). SS Chris Muñoz scored the winning run in the first game on a sacrifice fly by RF Dane Phillips; Muñoz went 3-for-4 with a home run. Brandon Bargas went the distance for the Hillcats in the second game, held the Stars to five hits, struck out ten. All three of the Hillcats' runs came on a home run by 2B Hector Rivera in the third inning, and Bargas had a shutout going into the seventh. 1B Miguel Beltran batted in the winning run with a fielder's choice in the third game; Patrick Goelz, who held the Hillcats scoreless over the last 2 2/3 innings, got the win in relief. The Stars host Oklahoma ChristianApril 12 and 14, and visit Oklahoma Christian April 13. The Stars lead the Sooner Athletic Conference; #x Oklahoma Baptist is in second place with a 13-5 record.

NAIA coaches' poll for April 14, 2015, with Boyd Nation's ISR. Recaps below.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 16, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking. Recap below the fold.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 17, 2012, with Boyd Nation's Iterative Strength Rating (ISR):

First place votes: LSU-Shreveport 18, Azusa Pacific 2

Azusa Pacific is #1 in Strength of Schedule

LSU-Shreveport (19-4 RRAC) won two of three close games against Texas-Brownsville, 1-2, 8-7, and 10-9. The loss ended a 16-game winning streak, and was Jared Mortensen's first loss of the season. Zach Armstrong went the seven-inning distance for the Scorpions, allowed only three hits, struck out six. (Mortensen allowed four hits, struck out ten.) 2B Scott Frasier hit a sacrifice fly for the winning run for the Scorpions. SS Manny Estrada hit a home run to win the second game, and he drew a bases-loaded walk to send in the winning run in the third game. The Pilots visit William Carey April 18, host Texas Wesleyan April 20-21, and close their regular season at Division III Centenary April 24. -14. The Pilots lead the Red River Athletic Conference, and can clinch the pennant with one win against Texas Wesleyan.

NAIA coaches' poll for April 19, 2016, with Boyd Nation's ISR. Recaps below.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 2, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking. Recap below the fold.

NAIA coaches' poll for April 21, 2015, with Boyd Nation's ISR. Recaps below.

The NAIA Coaches' Poll for April 22, 2014, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking.

First place votes:Oklahoma Baptist 18, Faulkner 2, Lewis-Clark State 1
#7 San Diego Christian is #1 in Strength of Schedule

#1 Oklahoma Baptist swept Southwestern Assemblies of God, 17-0, 6-2, and 14-0. Jordan Morales, Tallen Parker, and Jeff Gunter combined for the shutout in the first game. Morales got the win (he is 10-0, 1.96 ERA for the season), pitched five innings, allowed three hits, struck out six. Jinny Parra got the win in the second game. RHP Julian Merryweather and Andrew Millner got the mercy-rule-shortened shutout in the third game. Merryweather pitched six innings, allowed two hits, struck out six. 3B Garrett Roberts went 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.

The Bison have won ten straight, and lead the Sooner Athletic Conference by 2½ games over #14 Oklahoma City and Wayland Baptist. The Bison visit Saint Gregory's April 24 and 26, end their home season against Saint Gregory's April 25 ( Live video), and end their regular season against now-Division II Rogers State April 29 in Tulsa.

#2 Faulkner completed their season sweep of #6 Georgia Gwinnett, winning the third game of the season 5-4. The defending champions led 3-0 after four innings, and 5-1 after seven, but the Grizzles scored three runs in the top of the ninth to make it interesting. The Grizzlies had the tying run on third, but Kurt Lipscomb got a strikeout to end it. Jay Gause got the win, pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowed a run on four hits, struck out 11.SS Dauris Holguin went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

The Eagles won two of three at Southern Wesleyan, 5-3, 8-1, and 6-7. In the first game, each team scored three runs in the first inning, but Jeremy Holcombe and Patrick McGrady held the Warriors off the board the rest of the way. RF Michael Cruz scored the winning run on a ground out; he was 1-for-4 with three RBI for the game. Thomas Dorminy got the win in the second game, pitched five innings, allowed no runs on two hits. The Eagles led the third game 6-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, but the Warriors came up with six runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it. The comeback was led by a bases-loaded triple by CF Michael Hyman. Two hit batters and a walk tied it, and 1B Stephen Wyatt scored the winning run on a bunt single by SS J.J. Julian. Matt Craig Went the distance for the Warriors, recorded seven strikeouts.

Robert Llera is batting .442 for the Eagles. The Eagles lead the Southern States Athletic Conference by 1 1/2 games over #15 Southern Polytechnic, and two games over #10 Brewton-Parker. The Eagles host Martin Methodist April 24-25. Live video

#3 Lewis-Clark State won three of four against Corban(ISR #21), 0-5, 4-3 (13 innings), 5-2, and 12-4. Jacob Kopra pitched the shutout for Corban in the first game. He allowed five hits, struck out one, and walked three. He is 9-0, 1.44 ERA, 64 K, and this was his third shutout of the season. 1B Daniel Orr hit a sacrifice fly for the winning run in the first inning, went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI for the game. Corban led the second game 3-1 after five innings, but were kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way by Gunnar Swanson (4 1/3 IP, 4 hits, 8 K) and David Murillo (3 2/3 IP, 3 hits, 7 K); Murillo got the win. Two of his strikeouts came after he entered the game with one out in the top of the tenth, and runners at second and third. L-C State tied it with two runs in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single by C Jake Shirley and a sacrifice fly by CF Ryan Sells. Sells scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Corban won a 15-inning game against British Columbia the previous weekend. Story Corban out-hit L-C State in the third game 8-7, but three of L-C State's hits were two home runs and a triple by RF Cody Lavalli; he batted in two runs, and scored two more. Beau Kerns got the win in relief, pitched four innings, allowed no runs on two hits. Sells went 2-for-3 in the fourth game with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored.

Lavalli has 11 home runs, which ties him with four other players for fifth-best in the NAIA. (Forrest Smith of Oklahoma City leads the NAIA with 15.) L-C State visits Division II Northwest Nazarene April 24-26, and plays a non-league game at nearby C. of Idaho (ISR #23) April 27. Corban finished in a three-way tie for third place with C. of Idaho and Concordia-Portland in NAIA West; the NAIA West tournament will be in Vancouver May 2-5.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 23, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking. Recap below.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 24, 2012, with Boyd Nation's Iterative Strength Rating (ISR):

First place votes: LSU-Shreveport 19, Azusa Pacific 1

Azusa Pacific is #1 in Strength of Schedule

LSU-Shreveport (22-4 RRAC) swept a double-header at William Carey, 10-4 and 9-4, and clinched the Red River Athletic Conference pennant by sweeping Texas Wesleyan 5-2, 5-0, and 14-2. Jared Mortensen went the distance in the first Texas Wesleyan game, scattered eight hits, struck out nine. Matt Lackie went the distance for the shutout in the second game, ran his record to 9-0, struck out seven. The Pilots then swept a double-header at Division III Centenary, 15-11 and 10-7 (eight innings, scheduled for seven). Mortensen got a save in the second game, CF Ridge Gonsoulin batted in the winning run. This crosstown, cross-divisional matchup drew 550 fans. The Pilots host the RRAC tournament April 28-May 1.

Oklahoma City(23-4 SAC) won two of three against #18 Lubbock Christian, 5-1, 4-5 (eight innings, scheduled for seven), and 4-2. 1B Miguel Beltran hit a home run in the first game, and also made an unassisted double play. 3B Jordan Lewis batted in the winning run for the Chaparrals in the second game. Jose Gonzalez, who retired all four batters he faced, got the win. 2B Brian Fisher hit a home run for the winning run in the third game. The Stars host Wayland BaptistApril 26-27, and finish their regular season at Division II Central Oklahoma April 28. Beltran now has 20 home runs on the season, most in the NAIA. The Stars lead the Sooner Athletic Conference; #8 Oklahoma Baptist is three games back (with three games remaining) with a 20-7 record.

Faulkner (27-3 SSAC) swept three games against Shorter, 4-1, 5-1, and 4-2, and won the Southern States Athletic Conference pennant. Corey Black pitched a three-hitter in the first game, struck out eight. 2B Daniel Cayton hit a two-RBI double for the winning run in the third game. Black leads the NAIA with an ERA of 0.97, and is tied with four other pitchers (including Rich Hawkins of Oklahoma City) with ten wins. The Eagles have won 20straight games. The SSAC tournament starts April 26, in Columbus, GA. The Eagles will play Belhaven in the first round.