May 12, 2026 | Bellevue, Neb. — The Nelson University Lions left everything on the field Tuesday afternoon in a marathon NAIA Opening Round battle, pushing Indiana University South Bend to 13 innings before falling 6-3 at Don Roddy Field. 

The Lions opened the game with tremendous energy and pitching, holding IU South Bend scoreless through the first five innings while building an early 2-0 advantage. Nelson struck first in the fourth inning after Joshua Pinter worked a leadoff walk and Ethan Starks followed with a single through the right side. Zeke Velazquez then ripped an RBI ground-rule double down the left field line before Mitchell Baker added another run with an RBI groundout to put the Lions ahead 2-0. 

Ryan Avalos delivered a gritty start on the mound, tossing five strong innings while allowing just one run and striking out four. The Lions defense backed him up throughout the afternoon, turning four double plays and repeatedly working out of traffic against a dangerous Titans lineup. 

Indiana South Bend responded in the sixth inning with a three-run frame highlighted by a two-run homer from Trevor Goodwin, but Nelson answered immediately in the bottom of the seventh. Addison Patton drew a walk, Odnal Rivera was hit by a pitch, and Drew Ortiz dropped down a bunt single to load the bases before Pinter lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at 3-3. 

From there, the game turned into an all-out pitching duel.

Luke Edmonds was outstanding out of the bullpen, delivering 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out three and helping keep the Lions alive deep into extra innings. Nelson pitchers combined to strand 15 IU South Bend baserunners throughout the contest and repeatedly escaped pressure situations. 

Velazquez led the Lions offensively with two hits and an RBI, while Baker added a double and RBI. Ortiz, Starks, and Patton also recorded hits in the battle. 

The Titans finally broke through in the top of the 13th inning, capitalizing on multiple walks to plate three runs and take the 6-3 lead. Nelson was unable to answer in the bottom half. 

Next Up
The Lions will now await the winner of Game 6 between No. 5 Saint Ambrose (Iowa) and No. 1 Bellevue (Neb.). Nelson, as the loser of Game 5, will face the winner of Game 6 on May 13 at 12 p.m. in Bellevue, Nebraska as Opening Round play continues.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.