LUBBOCK  -- Jason Schmidt launched a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead Mount Marty College to a 10-2 victory over UTB/TSC in an NAIA National Championship Opening Round game Tuesday at Hays Field on the campus of Lubbock Christian University. Photo Gallery!

The Scorpions, now 30-23, will play Avila University (Mo.) at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Avila lost to York (Neb.) Tuesday afternoon, 11-1, in a game stopped in the seventh inning because of the 10-run rule.

MMC, now 36-15, advanced to play top-seeded LCU at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Things were looking for the Scorpions through the first four innings, when UTB/TSC led, 1-0, thanks to a solo homer by Brian Bustos in the fourth inning.

Danny Gidora, who had not pitched since April 16, started out the game strong. Through the first four innings, he scattered four hits, struck out one and walked one.

But the roof collapsed in the fifth inning rather quickly after Gidora retired the leadoff batter. A walk, hit by pitch, and another walk loaded the bases for the left-handed hitting Schmidt with one out. Schmidt smashed Gidora's first pitch over the right-field fence for the grand slam homer, putting MMC ahead, 4-1.

Adam Vera came in for Gidora with two outs in the inning and finished the fifth.

The Scorpions' Matt Ginn hit a solo homer in the sixth inning to make it a 4-2 game, but that was as close as UTB/TSC would get.

The Lancers got to Vera in the sixth inning for four more runs. A single, sacrifice bunt and run-scoring single made it 5-2. After another single, Schmidt then lined a hit just past the outstretched glove of Scorpion shortstop Walter Blume. The ball rolled all the way to the left-field fence, scoring two runs and making it 7-2.

Schmidt later scored and the Lancers added two more runs in the seventh off Luis Sanchez.

The Scorpions finished with 11 hits and had their scoring chances in the first six innings. UTB/TSC left six baserunners aboard in the first six innings, including four at third base.

"In tournament baseball, you gets some hits, and you've got to cash them in," Aughney said. "When you get 11 hits, you have to get more than two runs. We didn't get any timely hitting, and their pitcher made some pitches in good spots."

Bustos, Ginn and Jorge Camorlinga each had two hits for the Scorpions.

The loser of the Wednesday morning game will have its season come to an end in the double-elimination tournament.

"We have to regroup and put things together and try to go strong tomorrow," Aughney said.