Posted by Jay Stancil - Tue, May 12, 2009 - [ Baseball ] - Viewed 538 times

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Union College avoided its first shutout in 100 games with a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Warner (Fla.) University 2-1 Tuesday in the 2009 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round.

With the victory, the Bulldogs (44-10 overall) will play Embry-Riddle (Fla.) Wednesday at 2 p.m. Embry-Riddle defeated Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) 8-4 in Tuesday's final game.

The loss dropped the Royals to 37-17 overall as they will face Union (Tenn.) University Wednesday at 10 a.m. in an elimination game.

Union (Ky.) had only three hits heading into the bottom of the ninth. But Lioney Henriquez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led off with a walk, and Joe Grinstead (Bowling Green, Ky.) reached on a bunt single. After a flyout to left, Troy Sitton (Cobden, Ill.) reached on an error to load the bases. Chris Daniels (Wappinger Falls, N.Y.) then lined a single to left, allowing Henriquez and Grinstead to score for the 2-1 victory.

In addition to collecting the game-winning hit, Daniels was also the winning pitcher as he tossed four innings of shutout ball allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout. He upped his record to 5-1 on the year.

Warner pushed across its lone run in the fifth inning Shane Ynclan grounded out to second, allowing Cory Johnson to score.

John Durham pitched well for the Royals. In eight-plus innings of work, He allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and had five strikeouts.

Henriquez and Grinstead paced the Bulldog offense as they went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

For the Royals, Jed Yancey led the way in going 2-for-5. Warner had just seven hits on the day.

Bulldog Notes

  • Union has not been shutout since March 10, 2008, when it lost 7-0 to King (Tenn.), making the streak at 101 games.
  • Union did not even attempt a stolen base, marking the first time since April 14 when it lost 6-2 to Montreat.
  • Union is now 32-0 when holding an opponent under four runs.
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