Warriors seeded fourth, face Science & Arts opening night of Series
Zachary Shore, LCSC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Bracket) Although the Lewis-Clark State College baseball team has known they'd be making their 35th appearance in the Avista-NAIA World Series, what wasn't known was what their seed would be and who they'd face, however, those questions were answered when the NAIA released the official bracket.
Lewis-Clark State finished the regular season ranked fourth in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll and received the same seed in the tournament. LCSC will square off against The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The Drovers will be making their first ever trip to Lewiston as the fifth seed.
The Warriors and Drovers will meet on opening night, Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m. following the opening ceremonies celebrating 25 years at Harris Field and the 60th annual Avista-NAIA World Series.
The winner of Friday's contest will receive a bye to Monday, May 30 at 6:30 pm. with the loser falling into the loser's bracket of the 10-team, double elimination tournament and play on Saturday, May 28 at 12 p.m.
LCSC is seeking national championship number 18 and look to become back-to-back champions for the first time since winning three straight from 2006-08. Bellevue (Neb.), Faulkner (Ala.) and Tennessee Wesleyan have each won one title while Point (Ga.) joins USAO as newcomers to the event.
The Warriors enter the event with a record of 48-7, tied for fourth best in the Series with Bellevue leading all teams with 51 victories. LC State leads the NAIA in doubles per game (3.018) and total doubles (166) while coming in second in fielding percentage (.975). Jacob Zanon (JR/Beaverton, Ore.) holds the top mark in runs scored per game (1.451) and Quin Grogan (SR/Stanfield, Ore.) leads the NAIA in hits allowed per nine innings (4.5). The senior starter is also second in total hits allowed (32) and opponent batting average (.155) while allowing just 15 total runs this season, third best in the association.
First pitch of the 60th annual Avista-NAIA World Series, 25th at Harris Field, is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 27 and pits seventh-seeded Sterling (Kan.) versus 10-seed Point. For more information on the World Series, including tickets and special promotions, visit www.naiaworldseries.com.