LEWISTON, Idaho- Indiana Southeast survived a back-and-forth battle Friday evening at Harris Field, outlasting Georgia Gwinnett 14-13 in a high-scoring Avista NAIA World Series showdown that lasted 3 hours, 48 minutes.
The Grenadiers wasted little time jumping in front, erupting for four runs in the top of the first inning. Georgia Gwinnett’s defense struggled early, committing four errors throughout the afternoon, several of which helped extend Grenadier rallies.
The Grizzlies answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. A sacrifice fly put the Grizzlies on the board before JJ Garcia launched a two-run homer to left, trimming the deficit to 4-3 after one inning and setting the tone for a high-scoring affair.
IU Southeast added two more runs in the third inning, capitalizing on another defensive miscue and a bases-loaded walk to stretch the lead to 6-3. The Grizzlies quickly flipped momentum in the bottom of the frame. Garcia delivered an RBI single before Lance Bratlien crushed a grand slam to center field, turning a three-run deficit into an 8-6 Georgia Gwinnett advantage.
The Grenadiers slowly chipped away at the lead as the middle innings progressed. Kasen Parks connected on a solo home run in the fifth inning to pull within one before the offense delivered another major swing in the sixth. With runners aboard, Arnette launched a three-run homer to left-center, pushing the Grenadiers back in front 10-8.
Indiana Southeast maintained the advantage late behind strong relief work on the mound from Weston Harvey. Brendan Whalen allowed eight runs, five earned, across 2.1 innings, Harvey steadied the game by tossing 3.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out three to earn the win.
The decisive moment came in the top of the ninth inning. Clinging to a narrow lead, Indiana Southeast loaded the bases before Chance Bentley blasted a grand slam to left-center, extending the cushion to 14-9.
The Grizzlies refused to go quietly. The Grizzlies mounted a furious rally in the bottom of the ninth, plating four runs and cutting the deficit to one. Ashton Fuselier highlighted the comeback attempt with a two-run homer, bringing the tying run into play before Indiana Southeast closer Luca Sandrella recorded the final out to secure the save.
Indiana Southeast finished with 14 runs on 13 hits while drawing 10 walks. Bentley paced the offense with five RBIs, including the pivotal ninth-inning grand slam, while Arnette collected three hits, four RBIs, and scored three times. Kevin Moore added two hits, three runs scored, and an RBI in the win.
Georgia Gwinnett totaled 13 runs on 13 hits behind big performances from Garcia and Bratlien. Garcia finished 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI, while Bratlien drove in five runs with his third-inning grand slam. Peyton Watts added three hits and scored three runs for the Grizzlies.
With the loss, GGC moves to an elimination game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against the loser of No. 3 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) and No. 8 Tennessee Wesleyan. IU Southeast remains in the winners bracket and awaits the winner of the Warriors and Bulldogs matchup Monday at 6:30 p.m.
