NEWS RELEASE


 

2004 Avista NAIA World Series Press Release

Friday, May 28 - Game 2
#8 William Penn University (Iowa) (48-13) def. #9 Concordia University (Ore.) (36-21), 2-1

LEWISTON, Idaho – Statesmen starter Tyer Piatz threw a complete game, striking out five while walking none and junior Chris Nickerson hit a pinch hit RBI single to left as the No. 8 seed William Penn University (48-13) defeated the No. 9 seed Concordia University (36-21) in the second game of the 48th annual Avista NAIA World Series on Friday at Harris Field.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Nickerson’s RBI single drove in designated hitter Nick Brunnelle from third to give the Statesmen their first lead of the game.  Brunnelle, who struck out swinging, advanced to first on a wild pitch that skipped past home plate and rolled to the backstop.  After stealing second, Brunnelle advanced to third on groundout.

In the top of the eighth, Concordia answered when second baseman Andre Goodlow singled up the middle to score left fielder John Grote from second base.  Grote led off the inning with a single to right field and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jarrett Skeen.

William Penn scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth when B.J. Rotz came home from third on first baseman Brian Matsumoto’s ground out to second.  With one out in the inning, Rotz singled to left and then advanced to third on Chris Eilers’ single through the right side.

Despite winning the game, the Statesmen were out hit 8-5 and Concordia starter Michael Devaney pitched 4 2/3 innings of perfect baseball. 

Devaney recorded the loss and dropped to 7-2 on the season, but pitched well, going all eight innings and striking out nine.

Up next from William Penn is the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Stars who are 70-5 coming into the tournament.  That game is scheduled from 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Concordia will next face the loser of the Bellevue University/Cumberland University game, which is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.