LEWISTON, Idaho – A steady rain washed away play Wednesday at the 54th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College’s Harris Field, which has forced NAIA tournament officials to schedule three games on Thursday.
The new schedule for Thursday has Cumberland (Tenn.), the No. 2 seed at 56-9, meeting No. 9 seed Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.), 41-19-1, at 11 a.m., PDT, followed by Lee (Tenn.), the No. 4 seed at 51-11, and Embry-Riddle (Fla.), the No. 7 seed with a 47-18 mark, at 3 p.m.
The final game of the day will be at 7:05 p.m.. and will feature Cumberland against the winner of the 3 p.m. game (scenarios explained below). The if necessary game is still scheduled for Friday, but the start time won’t be announced until later. The game time will be determined by the weather to help make sure the game gets in Friday. Official policies in the NAIA Baseball Handbook say the Series must be completed before Saturday.
Tournament director Gary Picone said all tickets purchased for Wednesday and Thursday will be honored for Thursday’s three games and that all promotions scheduled for Wednesday will now join be held on Thursday with the regularly-scheduled promotions.
With the new schedule and the two day games on Thursday, LCSC officials are looking for volunteers to help in a variety of areas. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 792-2520 to sign up or for more information.
The possible scenarios below show why Cumberland and the 3 p.m. winner will play in the late game Thursday.
Scenario A
Cumberland defeats Point Loma
Thursday’s 7:05 p.m. game becomes the first championship game between Cumberland and the 3 p.m. winner.
Scenario B
Point Loma defeats Cumberland
Thursday’s 7:05 game is Cumberland vs. 3 p.m. winner with Point Loma getting a bye into Friday’s championship game. Point Loma won a coin flip with Embry-Riddle in case both are still left in the tournament because neither one has yet to receive a bye. If Lee beats Embry-Riddle, Point Loma would be the only team left that hasn’t received a bye.
