LEE UNIVERSITY head coach Mark Brew, left, tries to make a point with an umpire at the Avista NAIA World Series earlier this week. The Flames were rained out Thursday and will hopefully play two games today for the NAIA National Championship.
LEWISTON, Idaho — The Lee Flames will have to wait another day to continue their march toward a national baseball championship.
Thursday night’s Avista-NAIA World Series elimination game between Lubbock (Texas) Christian and the Flames was been postponed due to weather and field conditions at Harris Field.
Instead, the two teams will meet this afternoon in the first of a national championship doubleheader. The 4 p.m. start will be carried on WCLE 1570 AM and Stretch Internet. The winner will advance to the National Championship game against Concordia (Calif.) at 7:10 p.m.
Lee head coach Mark Brew does not appear to be upset with the one-day delay. “I don’t expect the schedule change to affect us at all,” he stressed. “Our guys have been focused throughout this tournament and this is just a minor obstacle for us in pursuit of our goal.”
In fact, the Lee coaching staff took the team out for extra batting practice late Thursday evening. “As long as we play pitch-by-pitch and inning-by-inning and don’t get caught looking ahead, we will be OK.”
The team records are almost identical. The Flames will take a 51-13 mark to the key contest, while the Chaps stand at 49-13.
The rain delay also gives both pitching staffs an extra day of rest and that could favor the Lee club. Lubbock Christian is leading the NAIA in hitting (.370) but it has been their pitching that has carried the Texas club to this point in the Series.
As far as playing two games on Friday and winning both to claim the title, Brew sees no problem. “We have played doubleheaders all year and it is nothing new to either team. I don’t see it as an advantage or disadvantage to either team.”
