Lewiston, Idaho ----- Houston Baptist University picked a bad day to have a bad day.
Everything that could go wrong for the Huskies did on Friday, as eighth-seeded Lindenwood exploded for 10 runs in the first two innings and went on to an 18-4 run-rule victory over the ninth-seeded Huskies in the Avista NAIA World Series at Harris Field.
Lindenwood (46-18) put up a four-spot in the first inning and six more in the second inning in racing out to a 10-0 lead.
The contest, which was a rematch of the Mid-South Super Regional, was stopped in the seventh inning because of the 10-run rule. Lindenwood also won the best-of-three series in the Super Regional 2-1.
The Huskies cut the margin to 13-4 in the sixth, but Lindenwood scored five more in the top of the seventh to finish things off.
The Lions pounded out 16 hits in the contest, including three home runs and took advantage of four HBU errors. It was the most runs allowed by the Huskies this season.
Houston Baptist pitchers struggled for the better part of the afternoon. Starter Jay Prigmore (6-5) allowed six hits and eight runs in just 1.1 innings and Keith Brunson lasted only one-third of an inning and gave up two hits and two runs. Jordan Hook gave up seven hits and seven runs in five innings.
Nate Eisenbeis (9-2) worked the first six innings on the mound for the Lions. He allowed eight hits and four runs. He also walked two and struck out three.
Michael Crabtree hit a two-run home in the sixth run to go with an RBI single in the fourth. He finished 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Andrew Taccolini drove in the other HBU run with a single. Ryan Majewski added two hits for HBU.
Both teams continue action on Saturday. HBU will play the loser of Friday's contest between Cumberland and Bellevue at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time, while Lindenwood gets top seed Azusa Pacific at 7 p.m. Azusa Pacific (50-8) received a first-round bye on Friday.
Game time is noon, and the game can be heard live right here, courtesy of KOZE Radio of Lewiston. Click on their website ahead of time to get aquainted at www.koze-sports.com .
For complete coverage of the World Series: www.naiaworldseries.com.
