CALDWELL, Idaho - A sun-aided, two-out, two-run single by Riley Humberger in the bottom of the seventh inning plated the tying and go-ahead runs, as The College of Idaho topped Lewis-Clark State, 3-2, in the opening game of a four-game series at Wolfe Field.
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The win for the Coyotes (17-12, 8-5 NAIA West) ended a three-game losing streak and evened the season series with the No. 7 ranked Warriors in what's tabbed the "Gem State World Series." It marked the first win for the Yotes over LCSC at Wolfe Field since 2009.
Gregg Simonds led off the seventh inning with a double to right-center and moved to third on a pinch-hit infield single from Tom LaMue. After LaMue stole second base, Humberger hit a fly ball to center field that Warriors (24-8, 10-3) center fielder Tariq Staton lost in the sun, giving the hosts the lead.
It was enough for Parker Vernon, who pitched to contact all afternoon - going eight strong innings for his fifth win of the season. The lefty allowed a first inning two-run homer to Cody Lavalli, but settled down, as L-C had just two runners reach third base the rest of the way. Vernon walked just one batter and struck out five.
The Yotes got on the board in the fourth, as Simonds gapped a two-out triple, scoring on an infield single down the third-base line from Jake Hennessey.
The Warriors had chances in the ninth against Ryan Eddy - but Eric Peterson was thrown out at first after rounding the bag too wide on a single; while with the tying run at first, Brian Corliss was robbed of a single on a diving stop from Joe Roseberry at third to end the game.
Simonds and Hennessey each had two hits in the win for the Yotes, while Corliss, Brady Steiger, and Kyle Blackwell each had two hits for L-C. Warrior starter Anthony Armanino, who defeated The C of I at last year's NAIA World Series, took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work.
The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow at Noon, with the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
