Chaps Get Burned

LEWISTON, Idaho (June 2, 2011) – Lubbock Christian University was involved in another pitcher’s duel at the 2011 Avista NAIA World Series, but this time they would be unable to end up on the winning side.  Lee University (Tenn.) starting pitcher Shay Crawford pitched a complete game one-hit shutout and the No.5-seeded Flames defeated No.6-seeded Lubbock Christian University 1-0 Wednesday night at Harris Field.  The two teams will meet again Thursday night at 9 p.m. (CDT) in an elimination game and the winning team will face Concordia University (Calif.) Friday night in the championship game.

Crawford, a fast throwing southpaw who spent the prior four seasons in the starting rotation at University of Alabama – Birmingham, pitched the first one-hitter in the World Series since Grand Canyon’s Bret Haley completed the task against Missouri Southern in 1986.  It was the fewest hits allowed since Wilmington’s (Del.) Rick Riddle tossed a no-hitter in 1992.  Crawford (11-3) struck out 12 batters in the nine innings of work and pitched a no-hitter for the game’s first 4.1 innings.  His only hit allowed was by David Cruz in the fifth inning, representing the Chaps 17^th batter of the game.  It was the second time the Chaps, who lead the NAIA in batting, have been shutout this season and although further research will need to be conducted, the Chaps have not been held to one hit in a single game in over the past five seasons.  LCU had their opportunities, but stranded seven base runners.  Even Mike Marshall, playing with a fractured foot, made a pinch-hitting appearance in the ninth inning with two outs for LCU, for his first postseason at-bat, and he crushed a line drive to left centerfield that was snagged by centerfielder Jonathan Clark for the game’s final out.

Wasted by the Chaparrals was a valiant pitching performance by Lucas Whitmore, who pitched a complete game of his own.  Whitmore (10-3) allowed nine hits, but he struck out six batters and did not walk a batter.  Five of the hits he allowed came in the first two innings of play, as he allowed four hits over the final six innings he pitched.

The lone run of the game was scored in the bottom of the second inning.  A lead-off single to left field by Justin Marrero and a bunt single by Seth Walker allowed Preston Scoggins to sacrifice bunt the runners over and Travis Anderson to ground-out and produce the RBI.

With LCU’s loss (49-13), three teams now remain with one loss.  The criteria states that when three teams are tied, the team that has not received a bye receives a bye Thursday and an automatic berth into the championship game.  Under those guidelines, LCU is the only team that has received a bye.  The Chaps ultimately get penalized for winning their Friday game over Oklahoma Baptist, which allowed them a bye on Saturday.  If LCU would have lost to OBU, they would have played Saturday and would not have had a bye.  Lee (51-13) and Concordia have not had a bye and the tiebreaker that advances Concordia is the technicality that they lasted in the winner’s bracket longer than Lee.  This is only the second time ever that three teams have remained with each having one loss on their record and ironically LCU has been involved both times.  In 2006, winner’s bracket champion Cumberland was forced to play LCU, while Lewis-Clark State was issued the free pass into the championship game.  Lewis-Clark State took advantage of the scenario and claimed the national title.  

LCU and Lee will square off in an elimination game at 9 p.m. (CDT) and the game will air locally in Lubbock on KKAM Sports Radio 1340 AM “The Fan,” and online at www.lcuchaps.com.  The NAIA is providing online video services at www.watchnaia.com.