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Hope International University

BSB vs ACU NAIA
Spencer Farrin
8
Winner Hope International HIU 43-16
1
Arizona Christian (A ACU 38-21
Winner
Hope International HIU
43-16
8
Final
1
Arizona Christian (A ACU
38-21
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Hope International HIU 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 0 8 9 2
Arizona Christian (A ACU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 2

W: Drury, Justin (10-0) L: E. Elliott (8-5)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Robert Nilsen

Drury Dazzles Leading No. 10 Royals to World Series Last Four With Win Over Firestorm

Lewiston, ID – The No. 10 Hope International University baseball team (43-16) won their third elimination game in a row at the Avista NAIA World Series as they eliminated fellow GSAC opponent Arizona Christian University Firestorm 8-1 with another great pitching performance on Tuesday afternoon at Harris Field in Lewiston, ID. 

Justin Drury (10-0) was magnificent as he turned in his best performance of the season pitching 8 innings allowing one run on four hits while walking one and striking out three on 113 pitches. JJ Cruz led the Royals offense going 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs.

The game looked like it would be another pitcher's duel as the Firestorm put their GSAC Pitcher of the Year against arguably the Royals best pitcher in Drury who has not lost a start all season. The Royals offense had other ideas as they gave Drury some early run support starting the top of the first with two singles before Cruz ripped a two run double down the right field line to put the Royals up 2-0. Both starters settled in the from there as Drury shutdown a potent Firestorm offense while the Royals broke open the game in the top of the fourth. The Royals would load the bases with two outs off a single, double and intentional walk. Alec Arnone then worked a walk to make it 3-0 and then the Royals would empty the bases as the Firestorm pitcher threw the ball away on an errant pickoff throw allowing three more runs to score as the Royals took a 6-0 lead.

That's all the run support Drury would need as he shutout the Firestorm over the first six innings putting them down in order in the fifth and sixth. The Firestorm would eventually break through in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-1 but that's all Drury would allow as he got a huge strikeout to end the inning. The Royals offense then added to their lead in the top of the eighth as Ryan Maciel reached on an error and would then score on a wild pitch to make it 7-1. David Rivera then ripped a one out RBI double down the left field line to increase the Royals lead to 8-1.

Drury then worked out of trouble in the bottom of the eighth after the Firestorm put runners on second and third with two outs as he induced a flyout to end the inning. Steven Ordorica then came in from the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth as he worked around a one out single to retire the side and seal an 8-1 victory sending the Royals to the last four of the World Series.

With the win the Royals advance to the last four and will have to wait until the final two games of the day are played to know their opponent as they will play on Wednesday, May 29 at either 3:05 PM or 6:35 PM at Harris Field in Lewiston, ID.
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