Video highlights (courtesy SWX Spokane)
LEWISTON, Idaho – Abdel Guadalupe’s two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to tie Southeastern’s loser-out game against Indiana Tech Monday set the stage for Dominic Anagnos’ game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th as the Fire preserved a chance to repeat its Avista NAIA World Series title.
With the Fire trailing 5-3, Guadalupe launched his shot over the left-field fence to score Dan Valerio and tie the game at 5-5. With one out in the 10th, Willie Estrada reached on a fielder’s choice and was replaced by courtesy runner Alec Thomas. Thomas advanced to third on Manuel Mesa’s single then scored to make it 6-5 on Anagnos’ shot to deep left-center. Marc Soto shut the Warriors down in order to secure the Fire’s victory.
The fireworks came after Indiana Tech scored what looked like an insurance run in the eighth to take a 5-3 lead into the ninth. The Warriors led throughout the game after going up 2-0 in the third and 4-0 with two more runs in the fifth.
Southeastern didn’t score until a three-run outburst in the sixth with RBI singles from Anagnos and and Ivan Nunez, and a fielder’s choice by Noah Strohl.
Mesa had three of the Fire’s 10 hits with Guadalupe adding two. Southeastern (53-11) continues to Tuesday’s 11 a.m. against the loser of Monday night’s contest between top-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan and No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett.
Indiana Tech wraps up its season (42-16-1).
