Lewiston, Idaho — Taylor University handed Lewis-Clark State College its first loss of the 2026 NAIA World Series with a 7-4 victory Thursday night at Harris Field.
The Trojans scored five runs in the first inning, sparked by a single from Brayden Manning and a walk from Jordan Malott. Brennan Frickel drove in the first run with an RBI single, and Fletcher Roemmich cleared the bases with a three-run double. Nate Simpson capped the inning with an RBI single, giving Taylor an early 5-0 lead, according to sources.
The Crusaders responded in the second inning, with Franklin Hernandez leading off with a single and later scoring on Gage Hinnant’s RBI hit. Taylor answered in the bottom half with a solo home run by Luke Sutter, pushing the lead to 6-1. Taylor added its final run in the fourth inning to extend the advantage to 7-1.
Lewis-Clark State attempted a comeback, aided by a Taylor error that allowed an unearned run in the fifth. Hernandez added an RBI single, and Hinnant continued his strong offensive performance with an RBI double in the sixth, trimming the deficit to 7-3.
The Crusaders made a final push in the ninth, with DeeJay Booth reaching on an infield single and scoring on Jayden Mark’s two-out RBI double. The Trojans’ defense held firm, securing the victory with the final out.
The Crusaders will face Tennessee Wesleyan in an elimination game Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Harris Field, according to tournament officials.
