2018 NAIA baseball tournament

The 2018 NAIA baseball tournament was the 62nd edition of the NAIA baseball championship. The 46-team tournament began on May 14 with Opening Round games across nine different sites and concluded with the 2018 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho that began on May 25 and ended on May 31. Southeastern (FL) defeated Freed–Hardeman (TN) 6–3 in the championship game for their first title in program history and becoming the most recent team to win the NAIA baseball championship in their first World Series appearance. This was also the most recent championship game in which both teams were making their very first NAIA World Series appearance.

2018 NAIA
baseball tournament
Teams46
Finals site
ChampionsSoutheastern (FL) (1st title)
Winning coachAdrian Dinkel
MVPManuel Mesa (Southeastern)

The 46 participating teams were selected from all eligible NAIA teams with the World Series host receiving an automatic bid to the NAIA World Series. The remaining 45 teams participated in the Opening Round with 31 teams being awarded automatic bids as either champions and/or runners-up of their conferences, and 14 teams were selected at-large by the National Selection Committee. Teams were then placed into one of nine pre-determined Opening Round sites of five teams a piece, each of which is conducted via a double-elimination tournament. The winners of each of the Opening Round sites plus the World Series host team participated in the NAIA World Series.

Tournament procedure

A total of 46 teams entered the tournament. As World Series host, Lewis–Clark State received an automatic bid into the NAIA World Series. 31 automatic bids were determined by either winning their conference's regular season championship, conference tournament, and/or conference tournament runner-up. The other 14 bids were at-large, with selections determined by the NAIA Baseball National Selection Committee.[1]

Opening round hosts

On May 1, the NAIA announced the nine opening round host sites, which were played from May 14–17.[2]

Venue(s)Location(s)Host(s)
Bowling Green BallparkBowling Green, KYBowling Green CVB
Doyle Buhl StadiumWilliamsburg, KYUniversity of the Cumberlands
Harrison FieldMontgomery, ALFaulkner University
Grizzly Baseball ComplexLawrenceville, GAGeorgia Gwinnett College
Jim Wade StadiumOklahoma City, OKOklahoma City University
McBean StadiumLincoln, CAPlacer Valley Tourism
William Jessup University
Winterholter FieldUpland, INTaylor University
Hunter Wright StadiumKingsport, TNVisit Kingsport
Milton Wheeler FieldHattiesburg, MSWilliam Carey University

Bids

Automatic

School Conference Record Berth Last NAIA Appearance
Antelope Valley (CA) NAIA West Group41–11–1Regular season champion2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
Bellevue (NE) North Star37–21Tournament champion2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
British Columbia NAIA West Group28–24Tournament runner-up2016 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Campbellsville (KY) Mid-South36–15Tournament champion2017 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Central Methodist (MO) Heart40–14Tournament runner-up2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Clarke (IA) Heart35–21–1Tournament champion2017 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Freed–Hardeman (TN) American Midwest40–14Tournament champion2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I.45–10Tournament runner-up2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Indiana Tech Wolverine-Hoosier42–19Regular season champion2017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Indiana Wesleyan Crossroads37–18Regular season champion2016 (Montgomery Bracket)
IU–Southeast River States40–12Regular season champion2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Judson (IL) Chicagoland35–18Regular season champion2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
Lewis-Clark State (ID) NAIA West Group38–11World Series host2017 NAIA World Series
LSU–Alexandria Red River32–25Tournament champion2017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
LSU–Shreveport Red River39–20Regular season champion2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Lyon (AR) American Midwest36–15Regular season champion2017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
Madonna (MI) Wolverine-Hoosier36–16Tournament runner-up2016 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
Marian (IN) Crossroads24–25Tournament champion2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Middle Georgia State Southern States45–16Tournament champion2017 (Lima Bracket)
Midland (NE) Great Plains32–20Tournament runner-up2017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Northwestern (IA) Great Plains30–18Regular season champion2014 (Shawnee Bracket)
Oklahoma City Sooner47–7Tournament runner-up2017 NAIA World Series
Oklahoma Wesleyan Kansas51–6Regular season champion2017 NAIA World Series
Point (GA) Appalachian34–23Tournament champion2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Point Park (PA) River States45–7Tournament champion2014 (Marion Bracket)
Science & Arts (OK) Sooner45–6Tournament champion2017 NAIA World Series
Talladega (AL) A.I.I.27–22Tournament champion2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian37–19Tournament runner-up2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Trinity Christian (IL) Chicagoland34–21Regular season champion2013 (Joliet Bracket)
Webber International (FL) The Sun35–22Tournament champion2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
William Jessup (CA) Golden State38–15Tournament championFirst appearance
York (NE) Kansas29–21Tournament runner-up2016 (Grand Rapids Bracket)

At–Large

School Conference Record Last NAIA Appearance
Bryan (TN) Appalachian40–152017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Cumberland (TN) Mid-South34–192014 NAIA World Series
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South46–92017 (Montgomery Bracket)
Faulkner (AL) Southern States50–72017 NAIA World Series
Jamestown (ND) North Star41–92017 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Keiser (FL) The Sun37–172017 NAIA World Series
Mobile (AL) Southern States42–15First appearance
Northwestern Ohio Wolverine-Hoosier38–182017 (Lima Bracket)
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian38–17First appearance
Southeastern (FL) The Sun51–72017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
St. Thomas (FL) The Sun53–72017 (Montgomery Bracket)
Taylor (IN) Crossroads43–142016 (Savannah Bracket)
Westmont (CA) Golden State34–162016 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
William Carey (MS) Southern States33–232017 NAIA World Series

Opening Round

Source:[3]

Bowling Green Bracket

Hosted by the Bowling Green CVB at Bowling Green Ballpark

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Science & Arts (OK)15
4Bellevue (NE)74Bellevue5
5Midland (NE)11Science & Arts6
3Reinhardt710
2Campbellsville (KY)3
3Reinhardt (GA)8
3Reinhardt75
2Campbellsville10101
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Science & Arts5
4Bellevue72Campbellsville7
5Midland52Campbellsville9
2Campbellsville11

Hattiesburg Bracket

Hosted by William Carey (MS) at Milton Wheeler Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1St. Thomas (FL)8
4LSU–Shreveport105William Carey2
5William Carey (MS)11101St. Thomas (FL)6
3IU–Southeast1
2Westmont (CA)1
3IU–Southeast11
1St. Thomas (FL)6
5William Carey3
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3IU–Southeast2
5William Carey135William Carey6
4LSU–Shreveport84LSU–Shreveport5
2Westmont (CA)7

Kingsport Bracket

Hosted by Visit Kingsport at Hunter Wright Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Southeastern (FL)8
4Clarke (IA)74Clarke6
5Trinity Christian (IL)41Southeastern (FL)5
2Tennessee Wesleyan2
2Tennessee Wesleyan11
3Madonna (MI)2
1Southeastern (FL)7
2Tennessee Wesleyan4
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Tennessee Wesleyan5
4Clarke84Clarke4
5Trinity Christian75Trinity Christian1
3Madonna6

Lawrenceville Bracket

Hosted by Georgia Gwinnett at Grizzly Baseball Complex

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Georgia Gwinnett10
4Indiana Wesleyan75Point0
5Point (GA)101Georgia Gwinnett10
3Keiser2
2Lyon (AR)2
3Keiser (FL)8
1Georgia Gwinnett13
5Point0
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Keiser2
5Point85Point6
4Indiana Wesleyan22Lyon1
2Lyon12

Lincoln Bracket

Hosted by Placer Valley Tourism & William Jessup (CA) at McBean Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1William Jessup (CA)12
4Judson (IL)194Judson4
5British Columbia81William Jessup3
3Antelope Valley4
2Middle Georgia State6
3Antelope Valley (CA)8
3Antelope Valley116
1William Jessup615
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1William Jessup8
4Judson154Judson1
5British Columbia4105British Columbia5
2Middle Georgia State3

Montgomery Bracket

Hosted by Faulkner (AL) at Harrison Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Faulkner (AL)20
4Talladega (AL)94Talladega0
5LSU–Alexandria01Faulkner7
3Indiana Tech2
2Webber International (FL)5
3Indiana Tech1010
1Faulkner1013
2Webber International7
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Indiana Tech1
4Talladega12Webber International211
5LSU–Alexandria42Webber International8
2Webber International7

Oklahoma City Bracket

Hosted by Oklahoma City at Jim Wade Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Oklahoma City19
4Jamestown (ND)144Jamestown8
5York (NE)41Oklahoma City8
3Central Methodist3
2Mobile (AL)3
3Central Methodist (MO)5
1Oklahoma City44
4Jamestown70
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Central Methodist1
4Jamestown34Jamestown3
5York85York1
2Mobile5

Upland Bracket

Hosted by Taylor (IN) at Winterholter Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Oklahoma Wesleyan13
4Taylor (IN)24Taylor2
5Northwestern (IA)11Oklahoma Wesleyan2
2Freed–Hardeman314
2Freed–Hardeman (TN)13
3Cumberland (TN)8
2Freed–Hardeman5
1Oklahoma Wesleyan0
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Oklahoma Wesleyan3
4Taylor23Cumberland (TN)2
5Northwestern (IA)73Cumberland (TN)5
3Cumberland (TN)8

Williamsburg Bracket

Hosted by Cumberlands (KY) at Doyle Buhl Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Bryan (TN)5
4Northwestern Ohio74Northwestern Ohio10
5Marian (IN)34Northwestern Ohio13
3Point Park5
2Cumberlands (KY)2
3Point Park (PA)8
4Northwestern Ohio10
3Point Park1
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Point Park8
1Bryan111Bryan7
5Marian42Cumberlands (KY)8
2Cumberlands (KY)18

NAIA World Series

The NAIA World Series was held at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.

Participants

School Conference Record Head Coach Bracket Previous NAIA
WS Appearances
Best NAIA
WS Finish
NAIA WS
Record
Antelope Valley (CA) NAIA West Group
(Cal Pac)
44–12–1Jacob GarsezLincolnnonenone0–0
Faulkner (AL) Southern States50–7Patrick McCarthyMontgomery6
(last: 2017)
1st
(2013)
17–10
Freed–Hardeman (TN) American Midwest47–15Jonathan EstesUplandnonenone0–0
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I.48–10Brad StromdahlLawrenceville1
(last: 2014)
T-7th
(2014)
1–2
Lewis–Clark State (ID) NAIA West Group
(Frontier)
38–11Jeremiah Robbinsn/a36
(last: 2017)
1st
(1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1996, 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2015, 2016, 2017)
142–46
Northwestern Ohio Wolverine-Hoosier42–18Kory HartmanWilliamsburgnonenone0–0
Oklahoma City Sooner50–8Denney CrabaughOklahoma City15
(last: 2017)
1st
(2005)
35–29
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian41–18Bill PoppBowling Greennonenone0–0
Southeastern (FL) The Sun54–7Adrian DinkelMaconnonenone0–0
St. Thomas (FL) The Sun56–7Jorge PerezHattiesburg5
(last: 2015)
2nd
(2015)
7–12

Preliminary Bracket

First round
Friday, May 25
First round
Friday, May 25
Second round
Saturday, May 26
Sunday, May 27
Third round
Monday, May 28
Winners to Championship Bracket
Fourth Round
Tuesday, May 29
1Faulkner8
8Antelope Valley28Antelope Valley7
1Faulkner4
9Reinhardt1
5Southeastern6
4Oklahoma City3
5Southeastern8
5Southeastern8
7Freed–Hardeman1
2Georgia Gwinnett3
7Freed–Hardeman67Freed–Hardeman5
7Freed–Hardeman5
10Northwestern Ohio1
6Lewis–Clark State4
3St. Thomas (FL)5
6Lewis–Clark State6
First round
Saturday, May 26
Losers eliminated
Second round
Monday, May 28
Losers eliminated
Third round
Tuesday, May 29
Winners to Championship Bracket
6Lewis–Clark State5
8Antelope Valley158Antelope Valley3
10Northwestern Ohio1310Northwestern Ohio4
3St. Thomas (FL)9
1Faulkner9
2Georgia Gwinnett132Georgia Gwinnett20
9Reinhardt34Oklahoma City3
4Oklahoma City10

Championship Bracket

Semifinals
Wednesday, May 30
Final
Thursday, May 31
       
5 Southeastern 9
6 Lewis–Clark State 6
5 Southeastern 6
7 Freed–Hardeman 3
2 Georgia Gwinnett 7
7 Freed–Hardeman 11

Game Results

All game times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–07:00).[4]

Preliminary Bracket

Friday, May 25
8:30 am
Game 1
(9) Reinhardt 1–2 (8) Antelope Valley Harris Field
Attendance: 1840
Umpires: HP: Andy Joseph, 1B: Jason Werle, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Grant Henderson
LP: Dylan Powers (11–4) Boxscore WP: Justin Stark (3–1)
HR: Sherman Graves (11) HR: Tyler Pittmon (10)

Friday, May 25
11:30 am
Game 2
(5) Southeastern 8–3 (4) Oklahoma City Harris Field
Attendance: 660
Umpires: HP: Mike Blinic, 1B: Grant Henderson, 2B: Will Prestwood, 3B: Jason Werle
WP: Jonathan Bermudez (14–2) Boxscore LP: Bryce Milligan (13–3)
HR: Adam De La Cruz (7)

Friday, May 25
3:00 pm
Game 3
(7) Freed–Hardeman 6–1 (10) Northwestern Ohio Harris Field
Attendance: 685
Umpires: HP: Jeff Kopecky, 1B: Bill Powell, 2B: Andy Joseph, 3B: Mike Thomas
WP: Austin Steel (11–2) Boxscore LP: Mike Alexander (8–3)
HR: Josh Sears (20) HR: Blake Maines (6)

Friday, May 25
7:00 pm
Game 4
(3) St. Thomas (FL) 5–6 (6) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 3870
Umpires: HP: Will Prestwood, 1B: Mike Thomas, 2B: Mike Blinic, 3B: Bill Powell
LP: Orlando Rodriguez (14–1) Boxscore WP: Lalo Porras (2–0)
Sv: Gage Burland (7)
HR: Chris Garabedian (3), Sergio Lopez 2 (15) HR: Tyler McDowell (6)

Saturday, May 26
12:00 pm
Game 5
(4) Oklahoma City 10–3 (9) Reinhardt Harris Field
Attendance: 560
Umpires: HP: Mike Thomas, 1B: Mike Blinic, 2B: Grant Henderson, 3B: Andy Joseph
WP: Craig Knoche (7–2) Boxscore LP: Jason Gifford (9–4)
HR: Garrett Foster (13)

Saturday, May 26
3:00 pm
Game 6
(10) Northwestern Ohio 13–9 (3) St. Thomas (FL) Harris Field
Attendance: 1200
Umpires: HP: Bill Powell, 1B: Andy Joseph, 2B: Jason Werle, 3B: Mike Blinic
WP: Mitch Ebben (7–0)
Sv: Steven Amos (2)
Boxscore LP: Erne Valdes (1–3)
HR: Felix Correa (4)

Saturday, May 26
6:00 pm
Game 7
(8) Antelope Valley 7–8 (1) Faulkner Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Grant Henderson, 1B: Will Prestwood, 2B: Mike Thomas, 3B: Jeff Kopecky
LP: Clayton Rabiej (11–1) Boxscore WP: Tyler Tungate (9–0)
Sv: Jonathan Wilkins (2)
HR: Jake Harrison (7), Tyler Pittmon (11) HR: Reese Cooley (14), Jacob Freeland (4), Austin Paschke (13)

Sunday, May 27
1:30 pm
Game 8
(2) Georgia Gwinnett 3–5 (7) Freed–Hardeman Harris Field
Attendance: 890
Umpires: HP: Jason Werle, 1B: Jeff Kopecky, 2B: Bill Powell, 3B: Will Prestwood
LP: Matthew Swain (0–2) Boxscore WP: Jared Humphry (8–3)
Sv: Beau Caviness (17)

Monday, May 28
8:30 am
Game 9
(4) Oklahoma City 3–13 (2) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 590
Umpires: HP: Andy Joseph, 1B: Will Prestwood, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Jason Werle
LP: J.R. Holloway (9–1) Boxscore WP: Gregory Loukinen (7–1)
HR: Elliott Cary (10) HR: Chris Jones (4), Kade Carrigan (3)

Monday, May 28
11:30 am
Game 10
(8) Antelope Valley 15–4 (10) Northwestern Ohio Harris Field
Attendance: 445
Umpires: HP: Mike Thomas, 1B: Jason Werle, 2B: Mike Blinic, 3B: Will Prestwood
WP: Jesse Garcia (8–4) Boxscore LP: Brett McEldowney (5–4)
HR: Jake Harrison (8) HR: Misael Lebron (6), Junior Gomez (9)

Monday, May 28
3:00 pm
Game 11
(1) Faulkner 4–6 (5) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 1930
Umpires: HP: Jeff Kopecky, 1B: Bill Powell, 2B: Andy Joseph, 3B: Grant Henderson
LP: Tyler Thornton (7–1) Boxscore WP: Jordan Scott (14–1)
Sv: Jared Crescentini (5)

Monday, May 28
6:30 pm
Game 12
(6) Lewis–Clark State 4–5 (7) Freed–Hardeman Harris Field
Attendance: 4660
Umpires: HP: Mike Blinic, 1B: Grant Henderson, 2B: Mike Thomas, 3B: Bill Powell
LP: Tyler Birch (9–2) Boxscore WP: Jacob Sawyers (8–1)
Sv: Beau Caviness (18)
HR: Kyle Callahan (10)

Tuesday, May 29
11:00 am
Game 13
(2) Georgia Gwinnett 20–9 (1) Faulkner Harris Field
Attendance: 505
Umpires: HP: Will Prestwood, 1B: Mike Thomas, 2B: Andy Joseph, 3B: Jeff Kopecky
WP: Cole Uvila (4–2) Boxscore LP: Alex Carrillo (10–3)
HR: Brandon Frazier (2), Kade Carrigan (4) HR: Tekwaan Whyte (4), Ryan Rosa (6), Reese Cooley (15), Gage West (6), Austin Paschke (14), Reid Long (8)

Tuesday, May 29
3:00 pm
Game 14
(6) Lewis–Clark State 5–3 (8) Antelope Valley Harris Field
Attendance: 2150
Umpires: HP: Jason Werle, 1B: Bill Powell, 2B: Mike Thomas, 3B: Andy Joseph
WP: Tyler Birch (10–2)
Sv: Gage Burland (8)
Boxscore LP: Gilberto Arroyo (4–3)
HR: Cory Voss (11)

Tuesday, May 29
6:30 pm
Game 15
(7) Freed–Hardeman 1–8 (5) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 2190
Umpires: HP: Grant Henderson, 1B: Jeff Kopecky, 2B: Will Prestwood, 3B: Mike Blinic
LP: Austin Steel (11–3) Boxscore WP: Felix Dieguez (7–2)
HR: Dan Valerio (17)

Championship Bracket

Wednesday, May 30
3:05 pm
Game 16
(7) Freed–Hardeman 11–7 (2) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 1005
Umpires: HP: Bill Powell, 1B: Mike Thomas, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Will Prestwood, LF: Mike Blinic, RF: Andy Joseph
WP: Connor Creasy (9–0) Boxscore LP: Jonathan McKinney (4–2)
HR: De'Mikyle Holmes (4) HR: Jordan Tylski (3)

Wednesday, May 30
6:35 pm
Game 17
(5) Southeastern 6–8 (6) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 2210
Umpires: HP: Andy Joseph, 1B: Will Prestwood, 2B: Jason Werle, 3B: Mike Thomas, LF: Jeff Kopecky, RF: Bill Powell
WP: Jonathan Bermudez (15–5)
Sv: Jared Crescentini (6)
Boxscore LP: Lalo Porras (2–1)
HR: Adam De La Cruz (8) HR: Matt Thompson (5)

Championship Game

Thursday, May 31 6:35 pm PDT at Harris Field
Game 18
Team123456789RHE
Southeastern0005000106100
Freed–Hardeman100002000362
WP: Eddie Jimenez (3–0)   LP: Jared Humphry (8–4)   Sv: Heibert Romero (7)
Home runs:
SEU: Ivan Nunez (7)
FHU: Josh Sears (21), De'Mikyle Holmes (5)
Attendance: 1115
Umpires: HP: Grant Henderson, 1B: Jason Werle, 2B: Mike Thomas, 3B: Jeff Kopecky, LF: Will Prestwood, RF: Andy Joseph
Boxscore

See also

References

  1. "Baseball National Championship Opening Round Field Announced". NAIA. May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  2. "2018 Baseball Opening Round Hosts Set". NAIA. May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  3. "2018 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  4. "2018 NAIA World Series". NAIA. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
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