LEWISTON, Idaho — Game 1 of the 2024 NAIA World Series came to an eventful close with the 9-seed Arizona Christian Firestorm getting a 17-10 victory over the 8-seed Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes.
Right from the start, the pitchers were getting it done. Eli Elliot from Arizona Christian striked out eight batters in the six innings he pitched in, only allowing three runs on four hits.
Fans in the stands didn’t see a score until the third inning when the Firestorm’s leadoff, Andrew Ivy hit a 2 RBI to bring the score to 2-0. But that wasn’t the end, as another player made it home to gain an early 3-0 lead.
It was all the Firestorm until the fifth inning when the Coyotes finally got a score on the board. Zack Beatty sent one over the left field wall for a home run, bringing the score to 4-1.
But in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning belonged to the Firestorm as they scored 13 runs over those three innings. The highlight play of those innings was a three RBI bomb from Marques Titialli in the sixth.
Even with a 17-3 deficit, the Coyotes didn’t give up. Cruz Oxford in the eighth inning hit his own three-run homer and did the same thing in the ninth. Even with that outstanding performance, it wasn’t enough for the Coyotes as they fell 17-10 to the Firestorm.
Up next, Arizona Christian will face the 1-seed Southeastern Florida on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. Then, Kansas Wesleyan will face the 5-seed Hope International in a loser out game on Saturday at 8:35 a.m.
You can see every game live on SWX! For the full printable NAIA World Series bracket, click here.
All times PDT and subject to change.
