NEWS RELEASE


 

2004 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series
Press release

 Monday, May 31 – Game 10

#6 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) (41-18) def. #8 William Penn (Iowa) (47-13) 11-6

 LEWISTON, Idaho – Justin Clarey’s solo home run to lead off the eighth inning put Mount Vernon Nazarene ahead for good as the Cougars defeated William Penn 11-6 in a loser-out game at the 48th Annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College’s Harris Field on Monday.

The Cougars (41-18) survived the see-saw contest, which saw them fall behind 4-0 after three innings and have their first nine batters retired in order. Mount Vernon Nazarene finally got something going in the fourth and eventually took a 5-4 lead, only to fall behind 6-5.

After scoring a run in the seventh to tie the game, Clarey’s blast started a three-run rally in the eighth and Mount Vernon added two more in the ninth to claim the win.

All Cougar regulars had at least one hit in the contest. Clarey led the way with three hits and three RBI, including a two-run double in the fourth for the team’s first two runs. Chris McKinney added three hits while Ty Dendinger had two RBI, including a run-scoring double that tied the game at 6-6 in the sixth.

William Penn, which was making its first World Series appearance, rolled early by sending nine batters to the plate in the first inning and scoring three runs. Sergio Flores had a two-run double in the inning and Brian Matsumoto added an RBI single an inning later for a 4-0 lead.

Statesman pitcher Dan Mell retired the first nine batters he faced, but wound up allowing seven hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Reliever Jim Radovich (7-1) was touched for six hits and four runs in three innings and took the loss, his first of the season.

Jesus Cortez and B.J. Rotz finished with two hits apiece for William Penn, while Flores and Anthony Romero had two RBI apiece.

Although he was roughed up early, Mike Laughlin (8-2) pitched seven innings to earn the win. He allowed nine hits, six runs (four earned) and two walks. He did strike out two. Jason Irish pitched the final two innings to earn the save.

The Cougars move on in loser-out play and will face either host Lewis-Clark State or Point Loma Nazarene of San Diego on Tuesday at 3 p.m. LCSC and Point Loma played later Monday night with the loser facing the Cougars.