May 27, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Mark Capone had three hits and three RBI to lead a balanced attack and help the University of British Columbia hold off Bellevue University of Nebraska 13-11 in the second round of the Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field.

 

UBC, the No. 2 seed in the tournament at 48-12, was making its first appearance in Series history. The Thunderbirds looked sharp at the plate as they collected 17 hits and had each player in the starting lineup collect at least one hit.

 

Bellevue, the No. 7 seed at 41-18, trailed 10-3 and 12-5 in the game, but made things interesting by scoring six runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Bruins had the winning run at the plate when the final out was made.

 

UBC scored at least one run in each of the first five innings as Bellevue pitchers struggled. Capone had a two-run double to highlight a four-run second inning, while Tyler Wilson had a two-run single in the four-run fourth, which put UBC ahead 10-3.

 

After Capone, Steve Bell-Irving, Connor James and Adams Campbell had two hits apiece. Campbell also scored four runs.

 

The game seemed pretty much over, but Bellevue used five hits, two walks and a hit batter to score six times in the ninth. The Bruins had runners on first and third when Nick Rivera grounded out to second for the final out.

 

Joe Evans and JP Lapointe had three hits apiece for the Bruins, who had 11 in the game. Evans and Dion Parks had two RBI apiece and Evans hit his ninth home run of the season.

 

UBC starter Shawn Schafer went six innings and gave up six hits and three earned runs to improve to 12-1 on the season. Brian Mayfield, who was touched for five hits and six runs in three innings, took the loss to fall to 8-1.

 

Both teams are back in action on Monday. Bellevue will take on Auburn University-Montgomery at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time in loser-out play, while UBC tangles with Lubbock Christian at 7 p.m. in the winner's bracket.

 

-NAIA-

 

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.