Lindenwood drops NAIA opener 3-1

Kansas Wesleyan defeated the host Lindenwood Lions 3-1 in the opening round tournament of the 2009 NAIA Baseball National Championship.  Kansas Wesleyan starter Brandon Mathes went all nine innings , striking out nine while giving up only one run on eight hits.

The Coyotes scored two runs in the first inning on three consecutive two-out hits and never looked back from there.  The Lions bats tried to stave a late inning rally but just couldn’t get a big hit. Lindenwood put the tying run on first base with one out but a ground ball double play started by the pitcher, Mathes, closed the door on the Lions chance of a comeback.

The host Lions will now take on Dakota Wesleyan in an elimination game tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Complete tournament coverage.