Lewis-Clark State 8, Lee 3
The Lee Flames came within one out of winning the championship on Thursday night, but with the Lewis-Clark State Warriors getting a complete game from Matt Fitts on Thurday, they had enough of an advantage in pitching to win this one.
Josh Rose, who hadn’t seen action for the Flames since May 7, got the start, and gave up four runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. The first run came in the second inning, when CF Paul Martin hit a triple, and scored on a ground out by LF Nick Benton. The Warriors got home runs from 3B Kyle Greene and DH Halton in the third.
Rose was replaced by Jeff Ibarra, who had a brief appearance on Thursday, with two outs and runners at first and third in the bottom of the fourth. The runner at first, SS Brett Wyatt, immediately stole second. The runner at third, Benton, then scored on a wild pitch. The Warriors led 4-1 after four innings.
Michael Guerrero started for the Warriors, and was pulled in the third inning after giving up a home run to 3B Josh Guy and hitting two batters. (Not much point in conserving pitchers when the next game isn’t going to be until February.) Guerrero’s replacement was Matt Stabelfeld, who allowed one run on one hit, another home run by Guy, over 3 1/3 innings. Stabelfeld got the win. Justin Mace, who held the Flames to one unearned run over the last three innings, got a save.
The Warriors led 5-3 after 7 1/2 innings, and they put it away with three runs in the bottom of the eighth when they loaded the bases on Mitch Davidson. Davidson was replaced by Pablo Lopez, who got Greene to hit a ball back to the mound, but Lopez threw to first instead of home, allowing a run to score on the play. Ward then hit a two-RBI double to complete the scoring.
Rose got the loss for the Flames. CF Jeremy Hutslar was 3-5 for the Flames, and Guy was 2-4. Ward finished the game 3-5.
Attendance: 5,530 (a record)
Ward was selected Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Greene was selected as the NAIA Player of the Year.
Story from NAIA site: Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) Wins 52nd Annual AVISTA-NAIA Baseball World Series
