Will Stramp
The Lubbock Christian Chaparrals defeated the Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions 11-8 to win their second NAIA title.
The Chaparrals jumped on Sea Lions starter Chris Honer for five runs, including a two-RBI double by 3B Ross Blondin. Honer didn’t complete the first inning. The Sea Lions tied it 5-5 in the top of the third with a two-run home run by 1B Travis McCleary, an RBI double by SS Tyler Kuehl, a sacrifice by by 2B Alex Cameron. However, the Chaps took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on a three-run home run by LF Will Stramp. The winning run came in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by 1B Rob Learned.
Charlie Aceto got the win in relief for the Chaps. He came in in the top of the third inning, went 2 2/3 innings, allowed two runs on two hits, struck out two, and walked four. Jakob Cunningham, who pitched a three up, three down ninth inning, got a save. Brandon Dixon, who took over from Honer in the first , got the loss. He went 3 2/3 innings, allowed five runs on eight hits, struck out three, and walked one.
Learned was 3-4 for the game. Steven Winnick, who started the game at first base and finished it on the mound, was 3-4 for the Sea Lions. CF Kurt Steinhauer was 2-3.
Stramp was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Steinhauer won the Charles Berry Hustle Award.
Attendance: 4,005 Time of game: 3:06
