Bellevue handles York 16-8, Panthers eliminated
By: David Toelle, Tournament SID

HUTCHINSON – Bellevue University scored 11 runs in the first inning and held off the York Panthers for a 16-8 win in game number four of the NAIA Region IV tournament at Hobart-Detter Field.

Nick Damas started the rally with a one out single, and scored on a single from Josh Northrup after a balk by York pitcher Robert Enriquez. After a strikeout by Drew Farley, Matt Anderson singled setting up Andy Brown’s two-run double. Jerry Zachery then singled home Brown and later scored on a error on a ball from Shawn Lee. Brandon Sears then reached on an error that scored Lee. Powell then doubled home a run and chased Enriquez from the mound. Northrup followed with a homer to left. Farley then doubled and scored on a pinch hit RBI single from Ross Jones to cap the scoring for the Bruins.

Dylan Connolly led off the York first with a home run.

The Bruins added another pair in the second when Damas hit a two-run double, and a single run in the third when Zachery homered deep to center field.

York cut into Bellevue’s lead, scoring five in the fourth. After Adam Janky led off the inning with a walk, Kellen Love hit a one-out double and Langston Frison singled to score Janky. Joe Ramirez hit a sac fly to score Love. Pinch hitter Travis Fortner singled and advanced on an error that scored Frison. After Curtis Eubanks was hit, Gary Bandy singled to score Fortner. Connolly then singled scoring Eubanks to cap the scoring.

Bellevue added a single run in the fifth when Zachery hit a bunt single to score Jones who had earlier walked.

The Bruins left the bases loaded in the sixth, but could not score a run. Northrup was hit with one out and was followed by a single to left center by Farley. Jones then hit a sac bunt to moved Northrup to third. Brown then walked on four pitches and RJ Jerrick struck out looking to end the inning.

York added single runs in the seventh and eighth but Bellevue added a run in the ninth and held the Panthers off the board in the ninth for the 16-8 win.

Damas and Zachery led Bellevue with three hits, while they each knocked in three runs along with Josh Northrup. Young got the win, pitching seven innings, giving up seven runs on ten hits while walking one and striking out eight. Kyle Wink and Peter Gehle each pitched one inning.

Connolly led York offensively with three hits and three RBIs. Robert Enriquez took the loss for York, giving up eight runs on six hits. Fleck finished the first and pitched three more innings giving up six runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out two. Dusty Dominguez pitched 1.2 innings and Justin Freitas finished the game, going 3.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit.

York finishes its season at 33-24, while Bellevue improved to 46-13 and will face the winner of the Park vs. Kansas Wesleyan game on Friday at 2:30 p.m.

-- NAIA --