Bellevue falls on walk-off homer in title game

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BELLEVUE, Neb. — Indiana University-Southeast's Kasen Parks hit a walk-off three-run home run off the left-field foul pole in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Bellevue University, 3-1, Wednesday in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round — Bellevue Bracket championship game at Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.

Bellevue, which defeated Nelson, 3-2, earlier in the day to reach the championship game, ended its season at 50-6. IU-Southeast improved to 42-14 and advanced to the 69th Avista-NAIA World Series, scheduled for May 22-30 at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

How It Happened

Bellevue played as the visiting team on the scoreboard despite hosting the tournament at Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex, and the Bruins nearly made an early run stand behind Reid Madariaga and a defense that turned four double plays.

BU put a runner in scoring position in the first inning after Oak Held singled and stole second, but Weston Harvey ended the inning with a strikeout. IU-Southeast threatened in the bottom half after Joel Johnson and Coulter Hamilton drew back-to-back walks, but Bellevue turned its first double play when Bryson Arnette grounded into a 5-4-3 twin killing.

The Bruins used another double play to get out of trouble in the fifth. Gabe Yonto was hit by a pitch and Parks singled, but Matt Santana grounded into a 6-3 double play to keep the game scoreless.

Bellevue broke through in the seventh when Dylan Holmes hit a two-out solo home run to left field, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Anthony Lind followed with an infield single before Mason Spellecy fouled out to end the inning.

IU-Southeast put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but Bellevue turned its third double play when Parks lined into a double play at third base. The Bruins then had a chance to add on in the eighth after Jaylan Ruffin reached on a bunt single and Held singled, but IU-Southeast escaped with a fielder's choice and a caught stealing.

The Grenadiers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but BU turned its fourth double play of the game as Arnette grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to preserve the 1-0 lead.

IU-Southeast completed the rally in the ninth. Kevin Moore drew a walk and Caden Lockwood singled to left field before Yonto lined out to the mound. Parks followed with a three-run home run off the left-field foul pole to end the game.

Madariaga allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings, walking five and striking out five. Alexandre Dionne recorded one out in the eighth before Brody Burnette took the loss, falling to 2-1 after allowing three runs on two hits with two walks in one inning. Harvey allowed one run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts in seven innings for IU-Southeast, while Aiden Darlage improved to 7-0 after throwing two scoreless innings of relief.

Inside the Numbers

• Bellevue: 1 run on 7 hits, 0 errors, 5 LOB; IU-Southeast: 3 runs on 5 hits, 0 errors, 7 LOB.
• Bellevue went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position; IU-Southeast went 1-for-7.
• The Bruins turned four double plays.
• Holmes hit his 14th home run of the season.
• Held led Bellevue with two hits and added his eighth stolen base of the season.

Top Performers

Bellevue University

• Dylan Holmes — 1-for-4, home run, run, RBI
• Oak Held — 2-for-4, stolen base
• Reid Madariaga — 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
• Jaylan Ruffin — 1-for-3
• Anthony Lind — 1-for-3

Indiana University-Southeast

• Kasen Parks — 2-for-4, home run, run, 3 RBIs
• Aiden Darlage — W (7-0), 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Weston Harvey — 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• Caden Lockwood — 1-for-3, run, walk
• Coulter Hamilton — 1-for-3, walk

Up Next

Bellevue's season ends at 50-6. IU-Southeast advances to the 69th Avista-NAIA World Series, May 22-30, at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.