LEWISTON, Idaho – Bryce Gardinier ripped a three-run home run over the right field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning as Western Oregon rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Warner Southern (Fla.) 9-8 in the opening game of the 2001 NAIA World Series at Harris Field Friday.

Western Oregon (39-18) now advances to a winner’s bracket game Saturday at 3 p.m. against Dallas Baptist (39-16). Warner Southern (51-15) will play in a loser’s out game Saturday at 9 a.m. against either Birmingham Southern, Ala., or Ohio Dominion.

Warner Southern took advantage of five Wolf errors to score five unearned runs off WOU starter Liam Woodard and open up an 8-3 lead after 6 ½ innings.

But, Western scored three runs in the seventh, one on a wild pitch and two on a home run by Travis Anderson to pull within two runs.

Then in the eighth, pinch-hitter Tim Nickerson and Travis Chetock reached on singles off reliever Tim Johnston and Gardinier hit his 10^th home run of the season to give Western Oregon its only lead of the day.

Closer Mike Gits then came on to earn his school-record ninth save, though he had to negotiate himself out of a mini-jam after surrendering singles to first baseman Devin Butler and catcher Daniel Barnett in the top of the ninth. After Barnett’s hit, his fourth of the game, Gits got Tony Schafer to fly out to left before striking out Dusty Barber to end the game.

Daniel Barnett provided most of Warner Southern’s early offense driving in four runs. He doubled for two runs to cap off a three-run third inning and he then stretched the Royals lead to 8-3 with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Matt Barnett and Butler also had two hits each for Warner, which outhit Western Oregon 13-12.

Third baseman Andy Ortmayer led WOU with three hits. Chetock, Anderson and designated hitter Josh Nelson each had two hits. Gardinier and Anderson each drove in three runs. Mark Hernandez plated two runs with a second-inning home run.

Josh Samter pitched two perfect innings, fanning one of the five batters he faced, to record his fifth win against three losses. Johnston fell to 3-1 with the loss.

Josh O’Brien, John Baillie (5), Tim Johnston (8), Grant Lykins (8) and Daniel Barnett
Liam Woodard, Josh Samter (7), Mike Gits (9) and Toby Botorff.
W – Samter (5-3). L – Johnston (3-1). Save – Gits (9).
HR – WS, Daniel Barnett (15); WOU, Bryce Gardinier (10), Travis Anderson (2), Mark Hernandez (5).
Time – 2:53. Attendanced – 1,355.