Union College Athletics

2008 NAIA World SeriesBulldogs Place 5th at NAIA World SeriesUnion showed why it belonged in itsfirst-ever appearance in the 2008 Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.Union placed fifth, going 1-2 and comingwithin an out of advancing to the final four.May 23, 2008Union 9, Azusa Pacific 8Union made its presence felt at theNAIA World Series as the fifth-seededBulldogs notched a 9-8 victory over No. 4seed Azusa Pacific (Calif.).Justin Hart had a big game as he went3-for-5 with three RBIs and was a tripleshy of the cycle. Trey Wheeler alsoknocked the cover of the game in going3-for-4 with two RBIs.Union never trailed, but the gameturned into a nail-biter in the ninth inning.Trailing 9-6, Azusa Pacific had tworunners on with two out when DerrickKeeton lined a single to left to driveboth runners, slicing the margin to 9-8.However, Marcus White got Drew Evansto strike out looking to end the game,giving Union the 9-8 victory.Marty Popham got the victory as hewent 7 2/3 innings, allowing six runs- five earned, on eight hits and five walkswith nine strikeouts.May 26, 2008Lee 14, Union 8Union scored early and often, but topseededLee (Tenn.) used two big inningsto propel itself to a 14-8 victory.Union jumped out to an early fiverunlead, but an eight-run third inningpropelled Lee to the six-run victory,during which the Flames belted threehome runs. Lee knocked four four-baggerson the day.For the second game in a row, Hartknocked in three runs as he went 1-for-3.Kenny Kysar scored three times in going2-for-4. Lioney Henriquez also went 2-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored.May 27, 2008Spring Arbor 8, Union 7It was the same story, just a differentday for Union as the No. 5 Bulldogs sawa five-run lead evaporate as No. 7 SpringArbor (Mich.) rallied in the ninth to pullout an 8-7 decision to advance to the finalfour of the NAIA World Series.The Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 leadand never trailed until the final at bat.Heading into the bottom of the ninth,Union owned a 7-4 cushion. Spring Arborloaded the bases with no outs. JesseBachman singled in two runs, which wasfollowed by a Jim Baker a sac fly to eventhe score at 7-7. Eric Vojkofsky singled tocenter to put runners on the corners withone out.An intentional walk loaded the basesfor Jonathan Herbig, who singled on a 1-1pitch to knock in the winning run.Offensively, Joe Grinstead led the wayin going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple andtwo runs scored. Matt Brady finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.About Lewiston ...The Lewis-Clark Valley is located 465 rivermiles from the Pacific Ocean at the confluenceof the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Thetwin cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston,Washington, named in honor of the Corps ofDiscovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis andWilliam Clark, serve as a regional servicecenter for the Inland Northwest. Lewiston isthe site of Idaho’s first capital, which was latermoved to Boise. Lewiston is also the site ofIdaho’s only seaport, one of three port facilitiesserving the Lewis-Clark Valley.The history of the Lewis-Clark Valley is richwith traditions and stories of the Nez PerceIndians and how they welcomed the explorersin 1805. More stories followed when thevalley became the home to miners, merchants,railroads, mill workers and farmers.Recreational opportunities abound in theLewis-Clark Valley. Known as the Gatewayto Hells Canyon, North America’s deepestgorge, opportunities for jet boating, whitewaterrafting, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking andcamping are limitless. Miles of levee pathwaysfollow the rivers for walking, joggingand biking. The area is often referred to as the“Banana Belt” due to the mild winter climatethat allows for year-round golfing while beingonly a short drive away from snow skiing andsnowmobiling.Effi e Burgers is a local restaurant in Lewiston thatserves larger-than-life hamburgers.WWW.UCBULLDOGS.COMUnion College • 27