Royals Can't Hold Off Host Warriors Fall in NAIA Opener

Box Score Lewiston, ID – The Hope International University baseball team (33-10) couldn't hold on as they dropped their first NAIA Opening Round game 15-14 to the Lewis Clark State Warriors on Monday evening in Lewiston, Idaho.

Hector Garcia got the start and pitched 5 innings allowing six runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out seven. Steven Ordorica (7-2) took the loss pitching three innings allowing five runs, four earned on five hits while striking out two. Matthew Pinal led the Royals offense going 2-for-6 with 4 RBIs.

After a scoreless top of the first the Royals opened the scoring in the bottom half. The Royals loaded the bases with one out before JJ Cruz lined a sac fly to left to plate a run and put the Royals up 1-0. Matthew Pinal then ripped a two run double over the head of the left fielder to extend the Royals lead to 3-0.

The Warriors weren't to be denied either as they struck for two runs in the top of the fourth with nobody out to make it 3-2. Garcia came back though to get the next three outs with two coming on strikeouts to limit the damage.

The Royals answered with a big bottom of the fourth inning. With two on and one out Chase Hanson delivered an RBI single through the right side to push the Royals lead back to 4-2. Alex Moreno then followed with a sac bunt to make it 5-2 before David Rivera crushed a two run bomb into the left field bleachers to give the Royals a 7-2 lead.

The Warriors didn't go away though as they struck for four runs with two out to pull back with one at 7-6. After a brief lightning delay the Warriors would strike for two more in the top of the sixth to take an 8-7 lead. The Royals came right back in the bottom half as they took advantage of several walks and an error to retake the lead at 9-8. Once again the Warriors would answer with a home run to tie the game 9-9.

The Royals got back to work in the bottom of the eighth as Matthew Pinal ripped a two run double with one out to put the Royals back ahead 11-9. The Royals would then tack on one more run on a fielder's choice to make it 12-9. The Royals couldn't hang on though as the Warriors struck for six runs in the top of the ninth to take a 15-12 lead. The Royals did fight back to make it 15-14 on a Mattei RBI single and a Cruz RBI single but the Warriors came up with a great sliding catch to prevent the tying run as the Royas fell 15-14.

The Royals continue play at the NAIA Opening Round presented by Avista as they take on the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma in an elimination game on Tuesday, May 16 at 12:30 PM in Lewiston, ID.

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Players Mentioned

#1 David Rivera: INF; 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R

#12 Hector Garcia: RHP; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#38 Chase Hanson: RHP/OF; 6' 4"; Junior; L/R

#50 Steven Ordorica: RHP; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#26 JJ Cruz: INF; 6' 3"; Junior; L/R

#6 Alex Moreno: INF; 5' 10"; Junior; L/R

#4 Matthew Pinal: RHP/INF; 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#1 David Rivera
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#12 Hector Garcia
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#38 Chase Hanson
: 6' 4"; Junior; L/R
: RHP/OF

#50 Steven Ordorica
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#26 JJ Cruz
: 6' 3"; Junior; L/R
: INF

#6 Alex Moreno
: 5' 10"; Junior; L/R
: INF

#4 Matthew Pinal
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R
: RHP/INF