Bottari Tosses Four-Hitter as C of I Blanks British Columbia, 3-0
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Jake Bottari tossed a four-hit shutout as The College of Idaho opened up the NAIA Region I Tournament with a 3-0 victory over host British Columbia tonight at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The win for the Coyotes (29-24) was their first-ever against UBC at their home park in the playoffs, while handing the T-Birds their first-ever home playoff loss in ten games. The C of I will meet top-seeded Lewis-Clark State in tomorrow's semifinal at 2 p.m. (PDT).
Bottari was locked up in a pitchers dual with Mark Hardy of UBC (23-27), each putting up zeros through six innings. However, the Yotes broke through in the bottom of the seventh, with an RBI double from Alex O'Brien getting the Yotes on the board. Dane McGrady provided the big blow, lacing a two-out, two-run single to make it 3-0.
That was all Bottari would need, as he allowed just one hit after the third inning - as UBC did not have a runner reach third base in the game. The junior walked two batters and fanned four to pick up his fourth win.
Region I Tournament Results - Game 1: Lewis-Clark State 11, Concordia 3; Game 2: C of I 3, British Columbia 0; Friday - Game 3: Concordia vs. British Columbia, 10 a.m. (loser out); Game 4: C of I vs. Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m.; Game 5: Winner 3 vs. Loser 4, 6 p.m. (loser out); Saturday - Winner 4 vs. Winner 5, Noon (all times Pacific).