LEWISTON, Idaho – No. 9 IU Southeast suffered their first loss of the 2026 Avista NAIA World Series, falling 16-4 to No. 5 Southeastern Wednesday afternoon.
IU Southeast's high-powered offense got off to a strong start, scoring in the first inning for the third consecutive game. Joel Johnson led off the bottom of the first with a walk, then scored after a two-run home run by Bryson Arnette.
Southeastern and IU Southeast both scored in the fourth inning. The Fire plated a pair to tie the game, only for the Grenadiers to retake the lead one frame after. Arnette hit a leadoff single, then advanced to third after a fielding error. Arnette scored one at-bat after Chance Bentley grounded out.
IU Southeast's lead was short-lived, however. The Fire scored two in the fifth, then blew the game open in the sixth. Southeastern pushed eight runs across in the sixth innings and led 12-3 headed into the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Gabe Yonto led off the inning with a double to the wall in center field, then advacned to third after Kasen Parks laid down a well-placed bunt. Yonto tapped the dish during the next at-bat after Johnson grounded out to second to make it 12-4.
Southeastern clapped back with four runs in the top of the eighth to go up 16-4. Kevin Moore singled to center in the bottom of the eighth, but did not score and the game ended after a run-ruling.
Arnette led the Grenadiers with three hits and two RBIs. Moore, Yonto, and Parks had the Grenadiers three other hits.
Despite the loss, the Grenadiers are still alive but move into the loser's bracket. The Grenadiers will take on No. 8 Tennessee Wesleyan at 6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. PT.
