NAIA top 25 and recap for March 17

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Results of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll for March 17, 2009, and Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating. Comments below:

Oklahoma City received all 22 first-place votes.

#1 Oklahoma City swept a three-game series against Wayland Baptist. The first two games were not close, but the Stars needed a home run in the top of the ninth inning by Brent Weaver to win the third game 6-5. It was Weaver’s 18^th home run, and he leads the NAIA in home runs. He is batting .415, and has 47 RBI. The Stars are now 25-1. The Stars now host a showdown with #5 Lubbock Christian March 20-21. They host Northwood (TX) March 24.

#2 Lee split with Faulkner, losing 7-4, and winning 4-2. They split another double-header with Trevecca Nazarene, losing 4-0, and winning 7-6. In the first game, Ben Johnson and Tim Dunn combined to hold the Flames to one hit. Johnson is 3-0, 3.81 ERA, and Dunn is 6-0, 1.96 ERA. The Flames are now 25-4. They host Berry March 20-21.

#3 Point Loma Nazarene took over sole possession of first place in the Golden State Athletic Conference by sweeping #15 The Master’s 5-3 and 6-5 (10 innings, schedule for 7). Kurt Steinhauer singled in the winning run in the second game, and hit a two-run home run (his seventh) in the first game. Steinhauer is batting .405. The Sea Lions then defeated Cal State San Marcos 6-5, making their record 18-5. They travel to Vanguard March 19, and visit #7 Azusa Pacific for a key matchup on March 21.

#4 Spring Arbor started their season 4-1, and the loss was 10-0 to Warner. They play Mount Vernon Nazarene in Auburndale, FL on March 19, and have their home opener March 24 against Saint Francis.

#5 Lubbock Christian won two of three against #17 Southern Nazarene, and swept a double-header against #16 Texas Wesleyan. They then swept C. Of Santa Fe, and the score of the second game was 25-0. The Chaparrals are now 24-2. They host #1 Oklahoma City March 20-21, and play crosstown Texas Tech March 23.

#6 LSU-Shreveport swept a double-header U. Of Mobile. John James ran his record to 8-0, 4.70 ERA in the first game. Chase Wentz hit his eighth home run of the season to win the second game. The Pilots are 26-3. They visit LSU-Alexandria on March 21.

#7 Azusa Pacific defeated Cal Baptist, and split with Biola. The Cougars are 22-4. They visit Cal Baptist on March 19, and will attempt to re-take first place in the GSAC when they host Point Loma Nazarene on March 21.

#8 Union (KY) split a double-header with Asbury, and won in straight sets against Bryan, 6-0 and 6-1. The 18-3-1 Bulldogs visit U. Of the Cumberlands March 18, and host Tennessee Wesleyan March 21-22.

#9 Southern Polytechnic is ranked #1 in Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating (ISR), and is #2 in strength of schedule. (Oklahoma City is #46 in strength of schedule, Point Loma Nazarene is #20.) The Hornets swept three games against Southern Wesleyan, bringing their record to 20-3. Their roster includes LHP Drew Saberhagen, son of Royals, Mets, and Red Sox star Bret Saberhagen. Drew is 3-0, 3.50 ERA. The Hornets visit Shorter March 20-21.

#10 Lewis-Clark State won two of three at in-state rival College of Idaho. College of Idaho’s 3-2 win was the first appearance of the season for Jason Barry of Castlegar, BC, and he pitched a complete seven-inning game, holding the Warriors to three hits. The defending champions have a break until March 24, when they host Whitworth.