Tournament Website | Box Score
CLAREMORE, Okla. -- Fourth-ranked Lubbock Christian University scored two ninth-inning runs to pull out a 3-1 victory over the Bellevue University baseball team in an elimination game at the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round at the Diamond Sports Complex.
Bellevue, ranked No. 11 nationally, ends its season at 45-10-1.
Lubbock Christian (43-16) will play Lyon College at 1 p.m. on Saturday in a loser's bracket contest.
LCU pitcher Derek Loera (10-4) allowed just five hits while striking out six and walking two for the complete-game win.
The Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on a two-out solo homer over the right field fence by Brian Embery.
The Chaps tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the seventh on a solo homer to center field by Marshall Williams.
LCU took its first lead of the game in the top of the ninth with an RBI single by Williams and a sacrifice fly to deep right field by Wigberto Nevarez, giving the Chaps a 3-1 advantage.
Ryan Knutz and Embery collected singles in the bottom of the ninth to mount a threat, but LCU ended the game as Andy Smolinski grounded into a double play.
Embery finished 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI to lead the BU offense.
Robert Greco (8-4) suffered the loss, scattering seven hits, while giving up two earned runs with 10 strikeouts and no walks in eight innings of work.
