NAIA 2001 BASEBALL WORLD SERIES
Game 18: Birmingham-Southern (Ala.) 17, Bellevue (Neb.) 11
NAIA 2001 BASEBALL WORLD SERIES
Game 18: Birmingham-Southern (Ala.) 17, Bellevue (Neb.) 11
May 31, 2001 at Harris Field
LEWISTON, Idaho – Birmingham-Southern, Ala., blew a 9-1 lead, but then rallied for a 17-11 win over Bellevue, Neb., in a loser-out game Thursday in the 45th annual NAIA Avista Baseball World Series at Harris Field.The Panthers (54-11) will now play host Lewis-Clark State (54-13) in Friday’s championship game at 7 p.m.
Birmingham-Southern, which hit five home runs in the contest, built an early 9-1, scoring four runs in the first, one in the second, one in the third and three in the fifth, but Bellevue grabbed an 11-10 lead in the seventh as Zack Hinckley’s three-run blast capped off a four-run inning.
The Panthers, however, reclaimed the lead for good in the eighth on a three-run home run by first baseman Jason Avery, then added four insurance runs in the ninth.
Tyler Sullivan, the fifth of five pitchers used by BSC, picked up his seventh win against no losses. Sullivan didn’t allow a run, the only pitcher among 10 used in the game to escaped unscathed, and surrendered just two hits in 2 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Matt Zach, who surrendered the home run to Avery, was charged with his fourth loss against nine wins.
Avery, third baseman Connor Robertson, right fielder Cory Hamrick and catcher Graham Burgess led a 21-hit assault for the Alabama team. Avery had four hits, including a double and two singles, in four at bats and drove in four runs. Robertson had five hits, including his 12th home run of the season, and drove in three runs. Hamrick had four hits, including a four-bagger, and Burgess had three hits, including a pair of home runs, and drove in five runs.
Hinckley’s home run, his 11th of the season, was one of four for the Bruins. Bobby Koba, Bryan Dille and Kevin Bratetic also hit four-baggers. Dille and Hinckley each drove in three runs for Bellevue.
Bellevue, which claimed third-place in the tournament, completed its season with a record of 49-18.
Birmingham-Southern (Ala.) 411 031 034 -- 17 21 1 Bellevue (Neb.) 000 142 400 -- 11 11 2
Jon Renfro, Duane Chapman (5), John Crew (5), Tim Hicks (7), Tyler Sullivan (7) and Graham Burgess; Zachary Sonnier, Ryo Sasahara (2), Tim Ziola (5), Matt Zach (6), Matt Whitehead (8) and Tim Fisher. W – Sullivan (7-0). L – Zach (9-4). HR – Birmingham, Cory Hamrick (3), Connor Robertson (12), Jason Avery (14), Graham Burgess 2 (7); Bellevue, Zack Hinckley (11), Bobby Kona (7), Bryan Dille (4), Kevin Bratetic (7). Time: 3:36. Attendance: 1,590.