LEWISTON, Idaho – IU Southeast's first game at the 2026 Avista NAIA World Series against No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett ended in a dramatic, 14-13 win for the No. 9 Grenadiers.
Trailing 8-7 in the top of the sixth, the Grenadiers' offense got to work. Joel Johnson led off the inning with a single, then Trevor Goodwin drew a full count walk to put two runners on. Right after Goodwin's walk, Bryson Arnette emptied the bases with a three-run home run to make it 10-8.
The Grizzlies got run back in the bottom of the sixth after a sacrifice fly. IU Southeast was able to keep Georgia Gwinnett off the scoreboard in the seventh and eighth, setting up for a drama-filled ninth inning.
With two outs and the bases empty, Goodwin sent a ball to the right center for a double. Arnette, who had five RBIs to this point, was intentionally walked, then Kevin Moore drew a walk to load the bases.
After Moore's walk, Chance Bentley stepped up with two outs in the ninth inning. With an 0-1 count, Bentley extended the Grenadiers' lead with a grand slam to make it 14-9 in favor of IU Southeast.
The Grizzlies would make a push in the bottom of the ninth, with their first three hitters reaching base. Georgia Gwinnett scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Luca Sandrella and the rest of the Grenadier defense were able to hold off the late push.
IU Southeast's offense finished the game with 14 runs on 13 hits. Arnette, Kasen Parks, Johnson, Goodwin, Moore all had multiple hits on the day. Arnette led the way with three hits, but Bentley led the Grenadiers with five RBIs.
On the mound, Weston Harvey was credited with the pitching victory after 3.2 innings of relief. Harvet pitched 3.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits and three strikeouts.
The Grenadiers will play again at 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. PT on Monday for game ten. IU Southeast's opponent in game ten will be the winner of game seven, which features No. 3 Lewis-Clark State and No. 8 Tennessee Wesleyan.
