2004 NAIA Avista World Series Press Release

Friday, May 28 - Game 1
#7 Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (45-15) def. #10 Jamestown (N.D.) (46-9), 6-3

LEWISTON, Idaho – Zach Robinson’s two-run double after a near five-hour rain delay helped No. 7 seed Point Loma Nazarene (45-15) defeat No. 10 seed Jamestown (46-9) 6-3 in the opening game of the 48^th annual Avista NAIA World Series on Friday.

The contest was finally completed eight hours after its original scheduled start because of two rain delays. The first delay forced the game to start 18 minutes late while the second rain delay lasted almost five hours and came in the top of the third inning with Point Loma Nazarene holding a 1-0 lead on an RBI triple by Joe Bisant.

When action resumed, Point Loma had runners on first and third and one out and Mike Eshragh greeted new Jamestown pitcher Brian Giese with an RBI single. Robinson then followed with his two-run double to make it 4-0.

Point Loma Nazarene added solo runs in the fifth and eighth innings, thanks to mistakes by the Jimmies. An error led to an unearned run in the fifth while Bisant picked up his second RBI on a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Bisant and Robinson had two RBI apiece while Eshragh had two of the Sea Lions’ eight hits.

Jamestown finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning when Brent Krause smacked a solo home run to left field. The Jimmies made things interesting with two runs in the ninth and they had the tying run at the plate when Scott Wallis flew out to deep center field to end the game. Designated hitter Russell Carter slapped a two-run single in the uprising.

 Krause finished with two of the Jimmies’ seven hits.

Point Loma Nazarene starting pitcher Chris Hill survived both rain delays and pitched eight solid innings in improving to 10-1 on the season. He allowed five hits, one earned run and two walks. He also struck out six.

Jamestown starter Josh Shaw took the loss to fall to 9-2. He allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Both teams are expected to play on Saturday but game times won’t be set until the conclusion of Friday’s play. Only three games are expected to be played Friday instead of four, which means the tournament Games Committee will hold off on making a decision about Saturday’s schedule until play is finished on Friday.