Outside of an intriguing Lindenwood squad, there haven’t yet been any real surprises, but the pieces of the puzzle should start falling into place today
By JIM BROWITT / of the Tribune
A crowd favorite is gone, the top seed is in the losers bracket and a team no one knew much about a week ago now has everyone’s attention.
These are the prominent storylines two rounds into the 51st annual NAIA World Series, the primary developments coming out of the first eight games. There have been surprises but no stunning phenomenons in a tournament that has so far gone halfway as planned — according to the seeding, anyway.
Things, of course, haven’t progressed far enough for us to draw much in the way of conclusions. Yet we’ll start getting answers — and quickly in some instances — as play resumes this morning at Harris Field following Sunday’s prescribed hiatus.
Among the questions surrounding the eight remaining participants, all of whom will be in action today:
- Will a relatively obscure participant emerge as a bona fide contender?
- Who’s going to replace Cumberland as the most embraced visiting team?
- Will top-seeded Azusa Pacific rebound from a painful loss in its tournament debut?
- Can anyone dethrone Lewis-Clark State?
Four of the eight competitors have played only one game so far, including three that are in the winners bracket. The exception here is also the ballclub that figures into the aforementioned hypotheticals more than any other — Lindenwood.
The squad from St. Charles, Mo., has been intriguing in its first Series appearance. The Lions, assigned the eighth seed, have compiled 32 hits over their two games — an 18-4 first-round rout of Houston Baptist and Saturday night’s 14-9 victory over Azusa Pacific.
“I’m sure some people are surprised,” said Lindenwood coach Brian Behrens, whose team, now 47-18, faces Bellevue this afternoon at 3. “We came here to compete — we thought we could.”
Lindenwood, whose .305 batting average prior to the Series was the second lowest among the 10 teams, is batting .421 through its two tournament games with four home runs and six doubles. The Lions have also amassed 31 RBI, while no other ballclub has more than 12.
And while they’ve played two games, they’ve batted in only 15 innings — they run-ruled Houston Baptist in seven, and didn’t need to hit in bottom of the ninth against Azusa Pacific.
“I’m not saying nothing,” first baseman Marty Clements replied when asked if the Azusa Pacific victory established Lindenwood as a legitimate championship threat. “These guys are the No. 1 (seed) but we treat it like it’s just another game.”
Azusa Pacific, which earned the top seed and some lofty regard by taking Lewis-Clark State to three games in the West Coast Super Regional, faces a stiff challenge today in a win-or-else situation. The Cougars will take on Lee, like them a potentially explosive offensive team, at noon.
NAIA 2007
Any of the remaining competitors could become the auxiliary favorite of Harris Field crowds, since the team that has traditionally received that support has been banished.
Fourth-seeded Cumberland, the Series’ most consistent performer over the past three seasons and an inexplicably popular mark with Lewiston fans, fell victim to two upsets and became the first participant to be eliminated.
Naturally, that backing will be secondary to what is directed toward L-C. Bolstered by the magnetic appeal of Beau Mills, a junior slugger who is now two home runs shy of the NAIA’s single-season record, the Warriors attracted a crowd of 4,425 to Friday night’s game with Lee, which they won 11-7. A comparable draw is expected tonight, when they face Spring Arbor at approximately 7.
L-C, which hasn’t received a six-inning start from a pitcher in four games, will attempt to break that string by sending Matt Fitts (9-1, 2.41 ERA) to the mound. Spring Arbor will almost certainly counter with Jesse Bachman (12-0, 1.51 ERA), like Fitts a sophomore right-hander.
The Warriors (54-5) are pursuing their 15th national championship.
The title chase, regardless who eventually wins it, will conclude Thursday or Friday, depending on how things proceed. Two more teams will be eliminated today, the Series last four-game day, and two will likewise be ousted Tuesday.
The four remaining competitors will be paired off by the tournament committee for games Wednesday.
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Browitt may be contacted at jbrowitt@lmtribune.com or (208) 743-9600, ext. 260.
