LEWISTON, Idaho-  Taylor (Ind.) turned a tied game into a runaway with a six-run eighth inning, defeating Mid-America Christian (Okla.) 13-4 Tuesday morning at Harris Field after play resumed following Monday night’s weather delay. The Trojans advance in the Avista NAIA World Series and will return to the diamond on Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. PT.

After the game resumed at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the top of the fifth frame, the contest remained tight until Taylor finally pulled away late. The Trojans broke a 4-4 deadlock in the top of the seventh when Quinn Kunkel delivered a two-run single to put the Trojans in front for good.

The purple and white then erupted in the eighth inning, plating six runs to command full control. Brennan Frickel and Fletcher Roemmich each drove in runs with RBI singles, Nate Simpson added an RBI, and Luke Sutter capped the rally with a two-run single. The Evangels committed several errors that allowed the Trojans to capitalize on their lead. 

Taylor struck first in the opening inning with a pair of unearned runs. Jordan Malott started the scoring with an RBI double before Frickel added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

The Evangels answered in the second inning, tying the contest on an RBI single from Jahzeel Groetelaers and a sacrifice fly by Elijah Lee. Malott regained the lead for Taylor with a solo home run in the third, but MACU responded immediately in the bottom half when Adam Hanan launched a two-run homer to put the Evangels ahead 4-3.

The Trojans tied the game in the fifth inning behind Simpson’s RBI single, aided by a throwing error that allowed the equalizing run to score.

Taylor finished with 17 hits and drew nine walks in the victory. Frickel paced the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring three runs and driving in three more, including a solo homer in the ninth inning. Malott added two RBIs with a double and a home run, while Sutter collected two hits, two RBIs, and two walks. Simpson also drove in two runs, and Sam Gladd finished 3-for-5 from the designated hitter spot.

Lane Lewis earned the victory in relief for Taylor, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits. Lewis struck out two and walked one, shutting down the MACU offense after the third inning. Wes Hunt and Gage Gongwer combined for the first four innings before Lewis took over.

Mid-America Christian managed nine hits in the loss, led by Hanan’s two-run homer. Jalen King went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Tuane Cope also recorded two hits.

Ibrahim Gonzalez was charged with the loss for MACU after 2.1 innings of work. The Evangels used seven pitchers, issuing nine walks and surrendering two home runs as Taylor pulled away late.