Saint Francis

Cal Baptistswept three close games from a Cal State San Marcosteam that was 6-1 going into the series. The Lancers won the first game 2-0 with a pinch-hit single by Josh Manzano. Drew Madrigal and Erik Wallace scattered four hits for the shutout; the Cougars outhit the Lancers 4-3. The second game was 4-3; the Lancers scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the winning run came in on a double by RF Zach Esquerra. Patrick Smith got the win in relief. The Lancers trailed 7-0 after 1 1/2 innings in the third game, but Travis Barnes was able to hold the Cougars to two runs on four hits the rest of the way. The Lancers took a 9-7 lead in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by LF Jake Johnson, and the Cougars tied it 8-8 in the eighth when Smith walked in two runs. However, the Lancers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, and the winning run came in when C Sharif Othman was hit by a pitch by  Johnny Omahen.

The Lancers are now 10-1. They host La Sierra on Tuesday, and host British ColumbiaFeb. 18-19. The Cougars visit Point Loma Nazareneon Tuesday, and play Azusa Pacifichome-and-away Feb. 18-19.

Cumberlandopened their season with a pair of wins over Missouri Baptist,3-2 and 7-1. The first game was scheduled for seven innings, but it took a home run by Cory Farris in the eighth inning to decide it. Keith Kirby got the win in relief. In the second game, Mike Mandarino allowed two hits over six innings, and Christian Jennings finished with a perfect seventh inning. Farris went 2-3 with an RBI double.

#1 Faulknerswept a series at Blue Mountain, 2-0, 8-1, and 10-1. Their record is now 8-2. LHP Thomas Dorminy pitched a one-hitter in the first game, struck out ten.RHP Jeremy Holcombe got the win in the second game, pitched six shutout innings, allowed three hits. RHP Julian Esquibel got the win in the third game. The Eagles visit Thomas Feb. 21-22.

#2 Lewis-Clark State started their season 4-0, sweeping Division II Montana State-Billings, 5-4, 20-6, 9-2, and 4-1. David Murillo, Beau Kerns, Dillon Keene, and Gunnar Swanson got the wins. Swanson went six innings, allowed three hits, struck out seven. LF/DH Kyle Knigge went 8-for-17 with four RBI for the series. The Warriors host Division II Western Oregon Feb. 21-23.

#3 Embry-Riddle swept South Carolina-Beaufort, 5-2, 4-0, and 3-1. RHP Daniel Poncedeleon went the nine-inning distance in the first game, struck out ten. LHP Stetson Nelson pitched all but the last out of a two-hit shutout in the second game, and the Eagles scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the eighth. RHP Corey Tufts and LHP Clayton Wagner combined for a one-hitter in the third game. The Sand Sharks got only nine hits in the series. The Eagles visit Division II Stillman Feb. 22-23.

#4 Missouri Baptist won three games at a tournament at Belhaven. The Spartans defeated Campbellsville 13-3, Saint Francis (IN) 19-3, and Belhaven 5-2. LF Orlando Olivera went 4-for-5 with two RBI against Campbellsville. 2B Jeff Smith went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI against Saint Francis. LHP Dave Mullins got the win against Belhaven; he went seven innings, allowed no earned runs and one hit. The Spartans host Indiana Wesleyan Feb. 21-22.

The NAIA Coaches' poll for April 3, 2012, with Boyd Nation's Iterative Strength Rating (ISR):

First place votes: LSU-Shreveport 15, Azusa Pacific 2, Lee 1, Oklahoma City 1

Azusa Pacific is #1 in Strength of Schedule

LSU-Shreveport (17-3 RRAC) defeated Division III Louisiana College 5-1, and swept three games at Southwest Assemblies of God, 18-2, 8-2, and 10-6. The Pilots outhit Louisiana College 15-3. They scored ten runs in the top of the ninth in the first game against SAGU, allowed three hits. C David Dorton hit an inside-the-park home run. 3B Devin Greco went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the second game, and 3-for-4 with three RBI in the third game. The Pilots visit Division II Southern Arkansas April 4, and host Houston-VictoriaApril 6-7. The Pilots lead the Red River Athletic Conference; Texas-Brownsville is second with a with a 13-5 conference record.

Oklahoma City(16-2 SAC) swept three games against Saint Gregory's, 7-2, 6-2, and 12-5. 1B Miguel Beltran, LF Kale Gaden, and SS Chris Muñoz hit home runs in the first game. RF Dane Phillips went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in the second game. Phillips moved to catcher for the third game, went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI. The Stars host Rogers StateApril 5, and visit Rogers State April 7. The Stars lead the Sooner Athletic Conference; #7 Oklahoma Baptist and Lubbock Christian are tied for second place with 11-4 records.