2023 NAIA baseball tournament

The 2023 NAIA baseball tournament was the 66th edition of the NAIA baseball championship. The 46-team tournament began on May 15 with Opening Round games across ten different sites and concluded with the 2023 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho that began on May 26 and ended on June 2.

2023 NAIA
baseball tournament
Teams46
Finals site
ChampionsWestmont (CA) (1st title)
Winning coachTyler LaTorre
MVPIsaiah Thomas (Lewis–Clark State)

The Westmont (CA) defeated host Lewis–Clark State in a winner-take-all championship game 7–6 to capture their first national title in program history.

Lewis–Clark State's Isaiah Thomas won tournament MVP honors. Thomas became the first player since Oklahoma City's Chris Bradshaw in 1998 to win the tournament MVP on a non-championship winning team.

The 46 participating teams were selected from all eligible NAIA teams. The World Series host and 31 teams were 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 ten pre-determined Opening Round sites, with six sites consisting of five teams and four sites consisting of four teams, each of which is conducted via a double-elimination tournament. The winners of each of the Opening Round sites participated in the NAIA World Series.

Tournament procedure

A total of 46 teams entered the tournament, with Lewis–Clark State receiving an automatic bid into the Opening Round as World Series host. 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.

Opening round hosts

On May 1, the NAIA announced the ten opening round host sites, which were played from May 15–18.[1]

VenueLocationHost
Don Roddy FieldBellevue, NEBellevue University
Estes Baseball FieldFayette, MOCentral Methodist University
Doyle Buhl StadiumWilliamsburg, KYUniversity of the Cumberlands
Grizzly Baseball ComplexLawrenceville, GAGeorgia Gwinnett College
Harris FieldLewiston, IDLewis-Clark State College
Pilot FieldShreveport, LALouisiana State University Shreveport
Winterholter FieldUpland, INTaylor University
Hunter Wright StadiumKingsport, TNVisit Kingsport
Russell Carr FieldSanta Barbara, CAWestmont College
Milton Wheeler FieldHattiesburg, MSWilliam Carey University

Bids

Source:[2]

Automatic

School Conference Record Berth Last NAIA Appearance
Antelope Valley (CA) Cal Pac30–14Tournament champion2022 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
Bellevue (NE) North Star45–8Tournament champion2022 NAIA World Series
British Columbia Cascade34–19Tournament champion2022 (Lewiston Bracket)
Bryan (TN) Appalachian35–19Tournament runner-up2022 (Upland Bracket)
Columbia (MO) American Midwest38–13Tournament champion2022 (Upland Bracket)
Concordia (MI) Wolverine-Hoosier46–8Regular season championFirst appearance
Concordia (NE) Great Plains38–15Tournament runner-up2022 (Bellevue Bracket)
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South46–7Tournament champion2022 (Kingsport Bracket)
Dillard (LA) Gulf Coast22–28Tournament championFirst appearance
Doane (NE) Great Plains42–10Regular season champion2022 (Lewiston Bracket)
Fisher (MA) Continental29–23Tournament runner-up2022 (Shreveport Bracket)
Freed–Hardeman (TN) Mid-South37–19Tournament runner-up2022 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Georgia Gwinnett Continental47–5Tournament champion2022 NAIA World Series
Grand View (IA) Heart34–12Tournament champion2015 (Grand Rapids Bracket)
Houston–Victoria (TX) Red River26–25Tournament champion2014 (Jackson Bracket)
Indiana Wesleyan Crossroads36–18–1Tournament champion2021 (Marion Bracket)
Kansas Wesleyan Kansas42–13Regular season champion2022 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Lewis-Clark State (ID) Cascade30–16World Series host2022 NAIA World Series
LSU–Shreveport Red River44–8Regular season champion2022 NAIA World Series
Madonna (MI) Wolverine-Hoosier35–15Tournament champion2022 (Kingsport Bracket)
McPherson (KS) Kansas36–14Tournament champion2022 (Miami Gardens Bracket)
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) Heart30–25Tournament runner-up2022 NAIA World Series
Midway (KY) River States27–22Regular season champion2017 (Lima Bracket)
Mobile (AL) Southern States35–13Tournament champion2019 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Oklahoma City Sooner30–19Tournament champion2022 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Point Park (PA) River States36–15Tournament champion2022 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Southeastern (FL) The Sun52–4Tournament champion2022 NAIA World Series
Saint Xavier (IL) Chicagoland31–25Tournament champion2021 (Bellevue Bracket)
St. Francis (IL) Chicagoland25–26Regular season champion2015 (Montgomery Bracket)
Taylor (IN) Crossroads37–15Regular season champion2022 (Upland Bracket)
Union (KY) Appalachian30–17–1Tournament champion2019 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Westmont (CA) Golden State40–8Tournament champion2022 NAIA World Series

At–Large

School Conference Record Last NAIA Appearance
Ave Maria (FL) The Sun34–162013 (Daytona Beach Bracket)
Benedictine–Mesa (AZ) Cal Pac42–122021 (O'Fallon Bracket)
Central Methodist (MO) Heart34–172021 NAIA World Series
Cumberland (TN) Mid-South35–13–12018 (Upland Bracket)
Hope International (CA) Golden State33–92022 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Missouri Baptist American Midwest42–72017 NAIA World Series
Morningside (IA) Great Plains36–162016 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian33–182022 (Montgomery Bracket)
Science & Arts (OK) Sooner34–182022 (Shreveport Bracket)
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian42–92022 NAIA World Series
Texas Wesleyan Sooner36–142019 (Henderson Bracket)
Webber International (FL) The Sun40–152022 NAIA World Series
William Carey (MS) Southern States44–92022 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Vanugard (CA) Golden State33–162022 (Lewiston Bracket)

Opening Round

Source:[3]

Bellevue Bracket

Hosted by Bellevue (NE) at Don Roddy Field

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Bellevue (NE) 7
4 Grand View (IA) 0
1 Bellevue 6
Winner's bracket
3 Oklahoma City 3
3 Oklahoma City 5
2 Doane (NE) 2
1 Bellevue 13
3 Oklahoma City 3
4 Grand View 2
2 Doane 3
2 Doane 6
Loser's bracket
3 Oklahoma City 811

Fayette Bracket

Hosted by Central Methodist (MO) at Estes Baseball Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Southeastern (FL)3
4Madonna (MI)94Madonna2
5St. Francis (IL)61Southeastern (FL)15
2Kansas Wesleyan1
2Kansas Wesleyan3
3Central Methodist (MO)1
1Southeastern (FL)11
2Kansas Wesleyan3
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Kansas Wesleyan16
4Madonna33Central Methodist7
5St. Francis (IL)23Central Methodist5
3Central Methodist14

Hattiesburg Bracket

Hosted by William Carey (MS) at Milton Wheeler Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1William Carey (MS)7
4Union (KY)75Houston–Victoria0
5Houston–Victoria (TX)101William Carey11
3Ave Maria2
2Texas Wesleyan8
3Ave Maria (FL)20
1William Carey27
3Ave Maria4
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Ave Maria4
5Houston–Victoria95Houston–Victoria3
4Union (KY)82Texas Wesleyan3
2Texas Wesleyan11

Kingsport Bracket

Hosted by Visit Kingsport at Hunter Wright Stadium

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Webber International (FL) 4
4 Indiana Wesleyan 9
4 Indiana Wesleyan 8
Winner's bracket
3 Bryan 3
3 Bryan (TN) 10
2 Missouri Baptist 1
4 Indiana Wesleyan 7
2 Missouri Baptist 6
1 Webber International 7
2 Missouri Baptist 14
2 Missouri Baptist 21
Loser's bracket
3 Bryan 4

Lawrenceville Bracket

Hosted by Georgia Gwinnett at Grizzly Baseball Complex

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Georgia Gwinnett18
4Midway (KY)64Midway1
5Saint Xavier (IL)51Georgia Gwinnett21
2Freed–Hardeman4
2Freed–Hardeman (TN)7
3Concordia (NE)4
1Georgia Gwinnett67
2Freed–Hardeman71
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Freed–Hardeman11
4Midway73Concordia (NE)8
5Saint Xavier (IL)33Concordia (NE)11
3Concordia (NE)10

Lewiston Bracket

Hosted by Lewis–Clark State (ID) at Harris Field

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Hope International (CA) 14
4 Lewis–Clark State (ID) 15
4 Lewis–Clark State 5
Winner's bracket
3 Concordia (MI) 4
3 Concordia (MI) 11
2 Science & Arts (OK) 7
4 Lewis–Clark State 19
3 Concordia (MI) 7
1 Hope International 12
2 Science & Arts 20
2 Science & Arts 4
Loser's bracket
3 Concordia (MI) 10

Santa Barbara Bracket

Hosted by Westmont (CA) at Russell Carr Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Westmont (CA)710
4British Columbia11124British Columbia6
5Antelope Valley (CA)101Westmont7
2Benedictine–Mesa2
2Benedictine–Mesa (AZ)5
3Vanguard (CA)4
1Westmont10
2Benedictine–Mesa1
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Benedictine–Mesa11
4British Columbia23Vanguard7
5Antelope Valley23Vanguard10
3Vanguard4

Shreveport Bracket

Hosted by LSU–Shreveport at Pilot Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1LSU–Shreveport4
4MidAmerica Nazarene (KS)54MidAmerica Nazarene6
5Dillard (LA)24MidAmerica Nazarene12
3Morningside7
2McPherson (KS)4
3Morningside (IA)10
4MidAmerica Nazarene67
1LSU–Shreveport146
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Morningside6
1LSU–Shreveport6101LSU–Shreveport7
5Dillard12McPherson4
2McPherson9

Upland Bracket

Hosted by Taylor (IN) at Winterholter Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Tennessee Wesleyan4
4Point Park (PA)204Point Park8
5Fisher (MA)34Point Park10
2Taylor12
2Taylor (IN)3
3Cumberland (TN)2
2Taylor12
4Point Park0
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
4Point Park610
1Tennessee Wesleyan30121Tennessee Wesleyan5
5Fisher93Cumberland (TN)18
3Cumberland (TN)17

Williamsburg Bracket

Hosted by Cumberlands (KY) at Doyle Buhl Stadium

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Cumberlands (KY) 13
4 Reinhardt (GA) 5
1 Cumberlands (KY) 18
Winner's bracket
3 Columbia (MO) 4
3 Columbia (MO) 10
2 Mobile (AL) 7
1 Cumberlands (KY) 8
3 Columbia (MO) 6
4 Reinhardt 5
2 Mobile 2
4 Reinhardt 6
Loser's bracket
3 Columbia (MO) 9

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
Bellevue (NE) North Star48–8Duane MonluxBellevue15
(last: 2022)
1st
(1995)
26–29
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South49–7Brad SheltonWilliamsburgnonenone0–0
Georgia Gwinnett Continental50–6Jeremy SheetingerLawrenceville5
(last: 2022)
1st
(2021)
11–8
Indiana Wesleyan Crossroads39–18–1Rich BenjaminKingsportnonenone0–0
Lewis–Clark State (ID) Cascade33–16Jake TaylorLewiston40
(last: 2022)
1st
(1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1996, 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2015, 2016, 2017)
152–54
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) Heart34–26Ryan ThompsonShreveport1
(last: 2022)
T-9th
(2022)
0–2
Southeastern (FL) The Sun55–4Adrian DinkelFayette4
(last: 2022)
1st
(2018, 2022)
13–4
Taylor (IN) Crossroads34–26Kyle GouldUpland1
(last: 1969)
T-5th
(1969)
1–2
Westmont (CA) Golden State43–8Tyler LaTorreSanta Barbara1
(last: 2022)
T-9th
(2022)
0–2
William Carey (MS) Southern States47–9Bobby HalfordHattiesburg4
(last: 2017)
1st
(1969)
7–5

Bracket

Source:[4]

Preliminary Bracket

First round
Friday, May 26
First round
Friday, May 26
Second round
Saturday, May 27
Third round
Monday, May 29
Winners to Championship Bracket
Fourth Round
Tuesday, May 30
1Southeastern5
8Indiana Wesleyan49Lewis–Clark State2
1Southeastern2
9Lewis–Clark State12
4William Carey10
4William Carey6
5Bellevue4
4William Carey3
3Westmont7
2Georgia Gwinnett7
7Taylor67Taylor23
7Taylor9
10MidAmerica Nazarene5
3Westmont15
3Westmont7
6Cumberlands3
First round
Saturday, May 27
Losers eliminated
Second round
Monday, May 29
Losers eliminated
Third round
Tuesday, May 30
Winners to Championship Bracket
1Southeastern6
2Georgia Gwinnett108Indiana Wesleyan4
8Indiana Wesleyan5118Indiana Wesleyan11
5Bellevue3
7Taylor3
9Lewis–Clark State169Lewis–Clark State8
10MidAmerica Nazarene410MidAmerica Nazarene7
6Cumberlands3

Championship Bracket

First Round
Wednesday, May 31
Semifinal
Thursday, June 1
Final
Friday, June 2
3Westmont3
1Southeastern10
1Southeastern4
3Westmont63Westmont7
4William Carey6
9Lewis–Clark State6
9Lewis–Clark State15

Game Results

All game times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–07:00).[5]

Preliminary Bracket

Friday, May 26
8:35 am
Game 1
(10) MidAmerica Nazarene 5–6 (7) Taylor Harris Field
Attendance: 1530
Umpires: HP: Skip Powe, 1B: Jason Tice, 2B: Cory Ray, 3B: Steve Sillers
LP: Bryce Brecklin (2–3) Boxscore WP: Jack Ross (7–0)
Sv: Gabel Pentecost (3)
HR: Joshua Martinez (4) HR: TJ Bass (19), Sam Gladd (7)

Friday, May 26
12:05 pm
Game 2
(6) Cumberlands 3–7 (3) Westmont Harris Field
Attendance: 740
Umpires: HP: Jeremy Hosler, 1B: Torrell Poole, 2B: Daniel Rios, 3B: Jay Allen
LP: Cesar Avila (1–3) Boxscore WP: Zach Yates (3–1)
HR: Charlie Muniz (24) HR: Bryce McFeely (6), Liam Critchett (4)

Friday, May 26
3:50 pm
Game 3
(5) Bellevue 4–6 (4) William Carey Harris Field
Attendance: 435
Umpires: HP: Jason Tice, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Steve Sillers, 3B: Skip Powe
LP: Kenji Miller (2–1) Boxscore WP: Preston Ratliff (5–3)
HR: Mathieu Sirois (14)

Friday, May 26
7:30 pm
Game 4
(9) Lewis–Clark State 12–4 (8) Indiana Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 2710
Umpires: HP: Torrell Poole, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Jay Allen, 3B: Jeremy Hosler
WP: Trevin Hope (6–3) Boxscore LP: Drue Young (6–3)
HR: Charlie Updegrave (10), Isaiah Thomas (14) HR: Ty Mathews (10)

Saturday, May 27
9:45 am
Game 5
(6) Cumberlands 3–4 (10) MidAmerica Nazarene Harris Field
Attendance: 280
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Steve Sillers, 2B: Skip Powe, 3B: Jason Tice
LP: Hunter Rigsby (7–3) Boxscore WP: Zach Trevino (10–2)
Sv: Reece Helland (4)
HR: Sean Maple (9), Dionathan Cornet (10)

Saturday, May 27
1:10 pm
Game 6
(8) Indiana Wesleyan 5–3 (F/11) (5) Bellevue Harris Field
Attendance: 560
Umpires: HP: Daniel Rios, 1B: Jay Allen, 2B: Jeremy Hosler, 3B: Torrell Poole
WP: Hunter Hoffman (7–2) Boxscore LP: Easton Brinton (6–2)
HR: Mathieu Sirois (15)

Saturday, May 27
5:20 pm
Game 7
(7) Taylor 23–7 (2) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 1695
Umpires: HP: Steve Sillers, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Jason Tice, 3B: Cory Ray
WP: Alec Holcomb (7–2)
Sv: Gabel Pentecost (4)
Boxscore LP: Jonathan Haab (2–1)
HR: Sam Gladd (8) HR: Ajay Sczepkowski (31), Caden Smith 2 (5)

Saturday, May 27
9:30 pm
Game 8
(9) Lewis–Clark State 2–5 (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 2155
Umpires: HP: Jay Allen, 1B: Jeremy Hosler, 2B: Torrell Poole, 3B: Daniel Rios
LP: Alec Holmes (1–1) Boxscore WP: Reese Wissinger (5–0)
HR: Isaiah Thomas (15) HR: Chayce Bryant (20)

Monday, May 29
8:35 am
Game 9
(2) Georgia Gwinnett 10–11 (8) Indiana Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 580
Umpires: HP: Torrell Poole, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Steve Sillers, 3B: Jeremy Hosler
LP: Cameron Repetti (12–1) Boxscore WP: Grayson Knight (4–3)
Sv: Jake Engelkes (1)
HR: Ajay Sczepkowski 2 (33), Caden Smith (6), Devin Warner (14) HR: Ty Mathews (11), Jeff Morton (14)

Monday, May 29
12:05 pm
Game 10
(10) MidAmerica Nazarene 7–16 (9) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 3410
Umpires: HP: Jason Tice, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Daniel Rios, 3B: Jay Allen
LP: Ryan Wilwers (2–6) Boxscore WP: Jace Hanson (2–1)
HR: Sean Maple (10), Noah Castillo (12), Joey Calamaio (2) HR: Charlie Updegrave (11), Isaiah Thomas (16), Dominic Signorelli (11)

Monday, May 29
3:05 pm
Game 11
(3) Westmont 15–9 (7) Taylor Harris Field
Attendance: 315
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Steve Sillers, 2B: Jeremy Hosler, 3B: Torrell Poole
WP: Aidan Holly (5–1)
Sv: Lucien Wechsberg (3)
Boxscore LP: Nick Crabtree (5–2)
HR: Ryan DeSaegher (6) HR: TJ Bass (20), Sam Gladd 2 (10)

Monday, May 29
6:35 pm
Game 12
(1) Southeastern 4–13 (4) William Carey Harris Field
Attendance: 870
Umpires: HP: Skip Powe, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Jay Allen, 3B: Jason Tice
LP: Robb Adams (7–2) Boxscore WP: AJ Stinson (8–2)
HR: Isaac Nunez (18) HR: Jake Lycette (13), Patrick Lee (15)

Tuesday, May 30
11:05 am
Game 13
(7) Taylor 3–8 (9) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 1505
Umpires: HP: Daniel Rios, 1B: Jason Tice, 2B: Torrell Poole, 3B: Cory Ray
LP: Gabel Pentecost (6–6) Boxscore WP: Greg Blackman (3–1)
Sv: Alec Holmes (2)
HR: TJ Bass (21) HR: Dominic Signorelli (12)

Tuesday, May 30
3:05 pm
Game 14
(8) Indiana Wesleyan 4–6 (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 205
Umpires: HP: Steve Sillers, 1B: Jay Allen, 2B: Jason Tice, 3B: Skip Powe
LP: Caleb Olson (2–1) Boxscore WP: Andrew Long (8–0)
Sv: Reese Wissinger (6)
HR: Ty Mathews (12) HR: Chayce Bryant (21), David Castillo (9)

Tuesday, May 30
6:50 pm
Game 15
(4) William Carey 3–7 (3) Westmont Harris Field
Attendance: 890
Umpires: HP: Torrell Poole, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Jay Allen
LP: Lane Jarreau (6–1) Boxscore WP: Zach Yates (4–1)
Sv: Gabe Arteaga (9)

Championship Bracket

Wednesday, May 31
3:05 pm
Game 16
(4) William Carey 6–15 (9) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 2175
Umpires: HP: Torrell Poole, 1B: Jay Allen, 2B: Steve Sillers, 3B: Skip Powe
LP: John Snyder (2–2) Boxscore WP: Jake Green (5–0)
HR: Bobby Lada (11) HR: Carter Booth (12), Nick Seamons 2 (17), Isaiah Thomas 2 (18), Jakob Marquez (14)

Wednesday, May 31
6:35 pm
Game 17
(1) Southeastern 10–3 (3) Westmont Harris Field
Attendance: 770
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Steve Sillers, 2B: Skip Powe, 3B: Daniel Rios
WP: JJ Sanchez (2–2) Boxscore LP: Carlos Moreno (1–1)
HR: Chayce Bryant (22), Jose Marcano (7), Nick Block 2 (11)

Thursday, June 1
6:35 pm
Game 18
(3) Westmont 6–4 (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 1195
Umpires: HP: Jay Allen, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Daniel Rios, 3B: Jason Tice
WP: Bryan Peck (10–1)
Sv: Lucien Wechsburg (4)
Boxscore LP: David Mata (4–1)
HR: Chayce Bryant (23)

Championship Game

Friday, June 2 6:35 pm PDT at Harris Field
Team123456789RHE
Lewis–Clark State0100302006115
Westmont02120100X793
WP: Gabe Arteaga (3–1)   LP: Drake George (1–4)
Home runs:
LCSC: Charlie Updegrave (12), Isaiah Thomas (19)
WC: None
Attendance: 4498
Umpires: HP: Steve Sillers, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Torrell Poole, 3B: Cory Ray
Boxscore

See also

References

  1. "Baseball Opening Round Hosts Set". NAIA. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. "Baseball National Championship Qualifiers Revealed". NAIA. May 11, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  3. "2023 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  4. "2023_ws_bracket.pdf" (PDF). NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  5. "2023 NAIA World Series Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
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