yotes to nationals, head to california 

For the sixth time in program history, The College of Idaho baseball team has earned a berth in the NAIA National Championships - as the Coyotes will head to Azusa, Calif., for the Opening Round Tournament, hosted by Azusa Pacific.

The Yotes (38-18) were one of 16 teams to earn an at-large berth to Nationals and will be competing against four other teams for a spot in the NAIA World Series, beginning Memorial Day weekend in Lewiston. The C of I will open up play Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. (PT) against Shorter University of Rome, Ga.  The Hawks (37-17) earned an at-large berth after a quality season in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Other teams in the tournament include top-seeded Azusa Pacific, No. 4 seeded Arizona Christian, and No. 5 seeded Menlo (Calif.).

The Coyotes previously advanced to the National Tournament in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2010 - winning the 1998 NAIA World Series title, placing second at the World Series in 1999, and placing third in 2002.  In 2010, the Yotes finished third in an Opening Round tournament hosted by Cal Baptist.

Schedule (all times Pacific) - Thursday:  Game 1 - No. 4 Arizona Christian vs. No. 5 Menlo, Noon; Game 2 - No. 2 Shorter vs. No. 3 College of Idaho; 3:30 p.m.; Game 3 - Winner 1 vs. Azusa Pacific, 7 p.m. Friday: Game 4 - Loser 1 vs. Loser 2 (loser out), Noon; Game 5 - Winner 2 vs. Winner 3, 3:30 p.m.; Game 6 - Loser 3 vs. Winner 4 (loser out), 7 p.m. Saturday: Game 7 - Loser 5 vs. Winner 6, 1 p.m. (loser out); Game 8 - Winner 5 vs. Winner 7, 5 p.m. Monday: Game 9 (if necessary) - Winner 8 vs. Loser 8, 1 p.m.