May 31, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Nick Pauza tossed a six-hitter and struck out 13 to help Lubbock Christian University hand Cumberland University its first loss with a 6-5 triumph in the 50^th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field on Wednesday night.

 

LCU's win leaves three teams alive from the original 10-team field in the double-elimination tournament. Because both LCU and Cumberland received second-byes and Lewis-Clark State College has yet to receive a bye, Lewis-Clark State earns a bye Thursday and will play in Friday night's championship game at 7 p.m. Pacific time.

 

That means Lubbock Christian, 50-16 overall, and Cumberland, 50-17, will meet again Thursday night, also at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to play LCSC, 46-8, in Friday's title tilt. Lubbock Christian is looking for its first title since 1983, while Cumberland won its only title two years ago.

 

Pauza, a 6-foot-1 senior right-hander, pitched out of some key jams to improve to 14-3 on the season and pick up his second tournament victory after beating LCSC in the opening round. Pauza also walked five and threw 158 pitches in the contest.

 

One pitch was a fastball that Cumberland's Dorian Rojas put over the center-field fence for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.

 

LCU bounced back with three runs in the third for a 3-2 lead. Blandon Hancock and Michael Harkins had RBI singles, while the third run scored on an error.

 

The game remained tight the rest of the way as the two teams exchanged runs in the fourth inning.  Payden Morgan had an RBI single for LCU, while Steve Self grounded into a bases-loaded double play, which scored a run for Cumberland.

 

LCU took a 6-3 lead in the top of the sixth when a walk and a hit batter set up and RBI single by Armando Dominguez and a sacrifice fly RBI by Morgan.

 

Cumberland made it tight again with two runs in the bottom of the seventh when it loaded the bases with no outs, but the Bulldogs could get only two runs on two wild pitches. Pauza then retired the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings to preserve the win.

 

Cumberland starter Luis Magdaleno allowed seven hits and six runs - five earned - in 5.1 innings. He also stuck out one and walked on in taking the loss to fall to 7-4 overall.

 

Lubbock Christian left 11 on base, compared to eight for Cumberland.

 

 

-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.