Royals end Grenadiers' season at Avista NAIA Baseball World Series

LEWISTON, Idaho -- No. 10 IU Southeast (Ind.) saw its season come to a close on Monday (May 27) after suffering a 12-1 defeat to No. 4 Hope International (Calif.) in an elimination game at the Avista NAIA Baseball World Series in Lewiston, Idaho at Harris Field.

The Royals, who improved to 42-16 with the win, were held in check for the first three innings, but soon got their offense going, scoring 12 runs over their final six at bats.

Tyler Yotkewich had allowed just one base runner through the first three innings and would take a no-hitter into the fourth before allowing a home run to leadoff home run to begin the fourth.

Hope International would score two more in the inning, and unfortunately for the Grenadiers, the Royal offense was just getting started.

The Royals would add to their lead, scoring one in the fifth, four in the seventh, one in the eighth, and three in the ninth.

The Grenadiers were held scoreless for the first eight innings but got a run in the ninth to avoid the shutout. Grant Shepherd reached on a fielder's choice before Alex Yurt stepped to the dish and laced an RBI double to right center, scoring Shepherd to make the final score 12-1.

Hope International compiled 15 total hits in the contest, including five home runs. JJ Cruz went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, two RBIs, and four runs, while David Rivera added three hits with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored.

For the Grenadiers, they tallied four hits with Mason White, Kody Putnam, and Max Flock joining Yurt in the hit column.

The loss ends the season for the Grenadiers, who close with a 37-20 record overall. They won the Upland Bracket in the opening round and advanced to the Avista NAIA Baseball World Series for the second time in four seasons.