Cougars Kick Away The Season

Lewiston, Idaho -- Centerfielder Shane Spicer's RBI double in the bottom of the 10th inning was the difference as No. 4-seeded California Baptist came from behind to defeat No. 2 Azusa Pacific, 6–5, eliminating the Cougars from the NAIA Regional Playoffs.

The loss of spoiled a brilliant outing by Joe Elias, who due to APU's pitching injuries, was forced to make his first start of the season. Elias scattered nine hits in fanned seven batters in seven innings. He struck out Roberto Singer, the Lancers' biggest offense of threat, three times.

Reliever Mark Rogers (0–2) pitched an effective 2.1 innings but was tagged with the loss.

"Joe came out and gave us a gutty effort today," said Head c=Coach Tony Barbone. "He did an outstanding job and so did Rogers, neither of them deserved to lose."

For the second game in a row, errors were the Cougars Achilles heel, as they committed four fielding blunders. The Lancer scored the game-tying run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth on shortstop John Chaparro's fielding error.

Offensively, Azusa Pacific was led by Darren Schorr and Ruben the Ebola, each who had two hits. The Cougars had runners in scoring position in every inning but one, but couldn't manage to extend their 5-2 lead, allowing Cal Baptist to stay in the game.

Lancer reliever Kent Dowding (5-4) pitched the tent inning, striking out too, to claim the victory.

"Our pitching did well, but it was on middle infield that let us down, and that is surprising because they have been our strength all season," said Barbone on his team's postseason performance.

The Cougars finish the season with a 35-12 overall record and won their sixth GSAC championship with a 20-4 record.

"We had a great season, it was just disappointing the way it ended," added Barbone. "We didn't play Azusa Pacific baseball."

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Players Mentioned

#28 Mark Rogers: 1B; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

#29 Joe Elias: 3B/P; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#28 Mark Rogers
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: 1B

#29 Joe Elias
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: 3B/P

Players Mentioned

#28 Mark Rogers

#29 Joe Elias

Players Mentioned

#28 Mark Rogers

#29 Joe Elias