May 26, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - JP Lapointe hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to help Bellevue University (Neb.) defeat St. Xavier University (Ill.) 6-3 to open play in the 50th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's (Idaho) Harris Field on Friday.

Lapointe's blast gave Bellevue a 6-1 lead, which was more than enough for Bruins' pitchers Frank Smagacz and Noah Russo, who combined on a five-hitter.

The Bruins (41-17) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Mikel McIntyre's RBI single, but the Cougars (33-26) tied the game in the bottom of the first with the help of two Bellevue errors.

Bellevue took a 3-1 lead in the top of the second when Scott Madsen singled and scored on a double by Dion Park. A balk later scored the second run.

The score remained 3-1 until Lapointe hit his sixth home run of the season with two outs in the fifth.

Saint Xavier's Craig Buske answered with a solo home run in the seventh and the Cougars added another in the bottom of the ninth on an error, but Russo struck out Ryan Buchler with two on to end the game.

Smagacz improved to 9-3 on the season with eight strong innings. He allowed four hits, six walks and two runs, but only one was earned. He also struck out six. Russo allowed one hit and one unearned run with a walk and a strikeout in his inning of work.

Ryan Quigley (8-5) took the loss. He went eight innings and allowed nine hits and six runs, five of which were earned. He struck out two and walked five. Reliever Shane Longest allowed one hit in his inning of work.

Evans paced Bellevue with three hits, while Madsen added two as the pair combined for half of the Bruins' 10 hits. Buske had three of St. Xavier's five hits and also scored twice.

Bellevue, the seventh seed in the 10-team double-elimination tournament, is scheduled to return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. Pacific time against No. 2 seed British Columbia (47-12). St. Xavier, the 10th seed, will face the loser of Lewis-Clark State (42-7) and Lubbock Christian (47-15) at noon on Saturday. LCSC and Lubbock Christian are scheduled to play in the final game Friday night.