2024 NAIA baseball tournament

The 2024 NAIA baseball tournament was the 67th edition of the NAIA baseball championship. The 46-team tournament began on May 13 with Opening Round games across ten different sites and concluded with the 2024 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho that began on May 24 and ended on May 31.

2024 NAIA
baseball tournament
Teams46
Finals site
ChampionsHope International (CA) (1st title)
Winning coachLarry Mahoney
MVPJJ Cruz (Hope International)

After losing their first game of the World Series, Hope International (CA) rattled off five straight victories capped off by defeating Tennessee Wesleyan 14–6 in the championship game for their first title in program history.[1]

The 46 participating teams were selected from 191 eligible NAIA teams. The World Series host and 29 teams were awarded automatic bids as either champions and/or runners-up of their conferences, and 16 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. 29 automatic bids were determined by either winning their conference's regular season championship, conference tournament, and/or conference tournament runner-up. The other 16 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 13–16.[2]

VenueLocationHost
Estes Baseball FieldFayette, MOCentral Methodist University
Doyle Buhl StadiumWilliamsburg, KYUniversity of the Cumberlands
Sherman FieldLincoln, NEDoane University
Grizzly Baseball ComplexLawrenceville, GAGeorgia Gwinnett College
Harris FieldLewiston, IDLewis-Clark State College
Pilot Field[lower-alpha 1]
BPCC Baseball Field
Shreveport, LA
Bossier City, LA
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Ken White Baseball FieldWaleska, GAReinhardt University
Winterholter FieldUpland, INTaylor University
Hunter Wright StadiumKingsport, TNVisit Kingsport
Milton Wheeler FieldHattiesburg, MSWilliam Carey University

Bids

Source:[3]

Automatic

School Conference Record Berth Last NAIA Appearance
Bellevue (NE) North Star39–12Tournament champion2023 NAIA World Series
Blue Mountain Christian (MS) Southern States31–21Tournament runner-upFirst Appearance
Bushnell (OR) Cascade29–24Tournament championFirst Appearance
Concordia (NE) Great Plains41–13Regular season champion2023 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South48–6Tournament champion2023 NAIA World Series
Doane (NE) Great Plains38–13Tournament runner-up2023 (Bellevue Bracket)
Embry–Riddle (AZ) Cal Pac29–18Tournament championFirst Appearance
Georgia Gwinnett Continental47–6Tournament champion2023 NAIA World Series
Indiana Tech Wolverine-Hoosier32–22Tournament champion2021 (Marion Bracket)
IU–Southeast River States32–18Tournament runner-up2022 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
Jessup (CA) Golden State39–9Tournament champion2019 (Miami Gardens Bracket)
Kansas Wesleyan Kansas45–10Regular season champion2023 (Fayette Bracket)
Lewis-Clark State (ID) Cascade37–11World Series host2023 NAIA World Series
Louisiana Christian Red River32–19Tournament champion1987 (Area II Tournament)
LSU–Shreveport Red River42–9Regular season champion2023 (Shreveport Bracket)
Mid-America Christian (OK) Sooner40–11Tournament championFirst Appearance
Missouri Baptist American Midwest39–10-1Tournament champion2023 (Kingsport Bracket)
Mount Mercy (IA) Heart32–20Tournament championFirst Appearance
Northwestern Ohio Wolverine-Hoosier36–15Regular season champion2022 (Upland Bracket)
Oklahoma Wesleyan Kansas35–18Tournament champion2021 NAIA World Series
Park (MO) Heart35–17Tournament runner-upFirst appearance
Point Park (PA) River States41–13Tournament champion2023 (Upland Bracket)
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian38–16Tournament runner-up2023 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Saint Francis (IN) Crossroads37–17Tournament runner-upFirst Appearance
Southeastern (FL) The Sun48–6Tournament champion2023 NAIA World Series
St. Francis (IL) Chicagoland29–19Tournament champion2023 (Fayette Bracket)
Talladega (AL) Gulf Coast36–15Tournament champion2019 (Miami Gardens Bracket)
Taylor (IN) Crossroads41–14Regular season champion2023 NAIA World Series
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian37–16Tournament champion2023 (Upland Bracket)
William Carey (MS) Southern States34–14Tournament champion2023 NAIA World Series

At–Large

School Conference Record Last NAIA Appearance
Arizona Christian Golden State33–192019 (Miami Gardens Bracket)
British Columbia Cascade31–192023 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
Central Methodist (MO) Heart43–92023 (Fayette Bracket)
Columbia (MO) American Midwest37–142023 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Faulkner (AL) Southern States35–152022 NAIA World Series
Freed–Hardeman (TN) Mid-South38–132023 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Hope International (CA) Golden State37–142023 (Lewiston Bracket)
Keiser (FL) The Sun32–212022 (Montgomery Bracket)
Loyola (LA) Southern States36–172022 (Shreveport Bracket)
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) Heart34–182023 NAIA World Series
Milligan (TN) Appalachian33–20First Appearance
Oklahoma City Sooner35–162023 (Bellevue Bracket)
Ottawa (AZ) (OUAZ) Golden State34–17First Appearance
Science & Arts (OK) Sooner34–162023 (Lewiston Bracket)
Tabor (KS) Kansas35–142022 (Bellevue Bracket)
Webber International (FL) The Sun42–122023 (Kingsport Bracket)

Opening Round

Source:[4]

Fayette Bracket

Hosted by Central Methodist (MO) at Estes Baseball Field

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Hope International (CA) 8
4 Northwestern Ohio 4
1 Hope International 10
Winner's bracket
2 Central Methodist 8
3 Tabor (KS) 6
2 Central Methodist (MO) 710
1 Hope International 8 9
3 Tabor 12 3
4 Northwestern Ohio 5
3 Tabor 6
3 Tabor 15
Loser's bracket
2 Central Methodist 4

Hattiesburg Bracket

Hosted by William Carey (MS) at Milton Wheeler Field

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Mid-America Christian (OK) 2
4 Milligan (TN) 4
4 Milligan 5
Winner's bracket
2 William Carey 24
3 Oklahoma Wesleyan 5
2 William Carey (MS) 6
2 William Carey 11
4 Milligan 4
1 Mid-America Christian 5
3 Oklahoma Wesleyan 4
1 Mid-America Christian 7
Loser's bracket
4 Milligan 8

Kingsport Bracket

Hosted by Visit Kingsport at Hunter Wright Stadium

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Webber International (FL) 3
4 Freed–Hardeman (TN) 0
1 Webber International 2
Winner's bracket
2 Tennessee Wesleyan 6
3 Columbia (MO) 0
2 Tennessee Wesleyan 2
2 Tennessee Wesleyan 9
3 Columbia (MO) 8
4 Freed–Hardeman 5
3 Columbia (MO) 6
3 Columbia (MO) 6
Loser's bracket
1 Webber International 5

Lawrenceville Bracket

Hosted by Georgia Gwinnett at Grizzly Baseball Complex

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Georgia Gwinnett26
4Bushnell (OR)45Louisiana Christian2
5Louisiana Christian61Georgia Gwinnett3
2Faulkner6
2Faulkner (AL)3
3OUAZ0
2Faulkner36
1Georgia Gwinnett167
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Georgia Gwinnett20
5Louisiana Christian95Louisiana Christian1
4Bushnell63OUAZ4
3OUAZ12

Lewiston Bracket

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

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Lewis–Clark State (ID)8
4British Columbia54British Columbia1
5Embry–Riddle (AZ)21Lewis–Clark State0
3Arizona Christian11
2Oklahoma City3
3Arizona Christian10
3Arizona Christian8
4British Columbia7
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Lewis–Clark State3
4British Columbia44British Columbia8
5Embry–Riddle (AZ)105Embry–Riddle (AZ)3
2Oklahoma City0

Lincoln Bracket

Hosted by Doane (NE) at Sherman Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Southeastern (FL)10
4Mount Mercy (IA)84Mount Mercy2
5St. Francis (IL)71Southeastern (FL)7
3Science & Arts2
2Doane (NE)6
3Science & Arts (OK)8
1Southeastern (FL)11
3Science & Arts2
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Science & Arts4
4Mount Mercy54Mount Mercy2
5St. Francis (IL)42Doane3
2Doane10

Shreveport Bracket

Hosted by LSU–Shreveport at Pilot Field (May 13 and 16) and BPCC Baseball Field (May 14 and 15)

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1LSU–Shreveport5
4Talladega (AL)204Talladega610
5Blue Mountain Christian (MS)74Talladega2
3Kansas Wesleyan9
2Concordia (NE)8
3Kansas Wesleyan15
3Kansas Wesleyan2
1LSU–Shreveport1
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
4Talladega5
1LSU–Shreveport81LSU–Shreveport11
5Blue Mountain Christian52Concordia (NE)3
2Concordia (NE)14

Upland Bracket

Hosted by Taylor (IN) at Winterholter Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Missouri Baptist0
4IU–Southeast144IU–Southeast4
5Indiana Tech114IU–Southeast3
2Taylor2
2Taylor (IN)10
3MidAmerica Nazarene (KS)2
4IU–Southeast14
1Missouri Baptist10
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Taylor7
1Missouri Baptist161Missouri Baptist11
5Indiana Tech8105Indiana Tech7
3MidAmerica Nazarene7

Waleska Bracket

Hosted by Reinhardt (GA) at Ken White Baseball Field

First round Semifinals Finals
          
1 Reinhardt (GA) 6
4 Keiser (FL) 4
1 Reinhardt 15
Winner's bracket
3 Point Park 7
3 Point Park (PA) 13
2 Jessup (CA) 10
1 Reinhardt 15
4 Keiser 8
4 Keiser 13
2 Jessup 10
4 Keiser 15
Loser's bracket
3 Point Park 4

Williamsburg Bracket

Hosted by Cumberlands (KY) at Doyle Buhl Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Cumberlands (KY)25
4Saint Francis (IN)15Park0
5Park (MO)61Cumberlands (KY)16
3Loyola (LA)8
2Bellevue (NE)2
3Loyola (LA)6
1Cumberlands (KY)11
4Saint Francis (IN)6
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Loyola (LA)4
5Park74Saint Francis (IN)6
4Saint Francis (IN)64Saint Francis (IN)9
2Bellevue4

NAIA World Series

The NAIA World Series is being held at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho. This is the first time since 1998 that the NAIA World Series did not feature Lewis–Clark State.

Participants

School Conference Record Head Coach Bracket Previous NAIA
WS Appearances
Best NAIA
WS Finish
NAIA WS
Record
Arizona Christian Golden State36–19Joe McDonaldLewistonnonenone0–0
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South51–6Brad SheltonWilliamsburg1
(last: 2023)
T-9th
(2023)
0–2
Georgia Gwinnett Continental51–7Jeremy SheetingerLawrenceville6
(last: 2023)
1st
(2021)
11–10
Hope International (CA) Golden State40–15Larry MahoneyFayette1
(last: 2017)
T-9th
(2017)
0–2
IU–Southeast River States36–18Brad NeffendorfUpland1
(last: 2021)
T-5th
(2021)
2–2
Kansas Wesleyan Kansas48–10Bill NealeShreveportnonenone0–0
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian41–16Jonathan BurtonWaleska1
(last: 2018)
T-9th
(2018)
0–2
Southeastern (FL) The Sun51–6Adrian DinkelLincoln5
(last: 2023)
1st
(2018, 2022)
16–6
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian40–16Billy BerryKingsport6
(last: 2022)
1st
(2012, 2019)
13–10
William Carey (MS) Southern States37–14Bobby HalfordHattiesburg5
(last: 2023)
1st
(1969)
9–7

Bracket

Source:[5]

Preliminary Bracket

First round
Friday, May 24
First round
Friday, May 24
Second round
Saturday, May 25
Third round
Monday, May 27
Winners to Championship Bracket
Fourth Round
Tuesday, May 28
1Southeastern3
8Kansas Wesleyan109Arizona Christian511
9Arizona Christian13
9Arizona Christian17
5Reinhardt30
4Hope International5
5Reinhardt7
5Reinhardt6
2Georgia Gwinnett4
2Georgia Gwinnett5
7William Carey510IU–Southeast2
2Georgia Gwinnett12
10IU–Southeast6
6Tennessee Wesleyan6
3Cumberlands4
6Tennessee Wesleyan7
First round
Saturday, May 25
Losers eliminated
Second round
Monday, May 27
Losers eliminated
Third round
Tuesday, May 28
Winners to Championship Bracket
6Tennessee Wesleyan8
1Southeastern121Southeastern6
3Cumberlands63Cumberlands5
7William Carey4
9Arizona Christian1
10IU–Southeast14Hope International8
8Kansas Wesleyan54Hope International12
4Hope International11

Championship Bracket

First Round
Wednesday, May 29
Semifinal
Thursday, May 30
Final
Friday, May 31
5Reinhardt2
6Tennessee Wesleyan6
6Tennessee Wesleyan311
5Reinhardt26Tennessee Wesleyan6
2Georgia Gwinnett11
4Hope International14
4Hope International15

Game Results

All game times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–07:00).[6]

Preliminary Bracket

Friday, May 24
8:35 am
Game 1
(9) Arizona Christian 17–10 (8) Kansas Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 1170
Umpires: HP: Roger Rangel, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Jason Tice, 3B: Cody Whitehead
WP: Eli Elliott (8–4) Boxscore LP: Jarrett Brannen (11–2)
HR: Andrew Ivy (9), Marques Titialii (25) HR: Cruz Oxford 2 (10), Zack Beatty (13)

Friday, May 24
12:50 pm
Game 2
(5) Reinhardt 7–5 (4) Hope International Harris Field
Attendance: 895
Umpires: HP: Tim Arndt, 1B: Jim Courtney, 2B: Jeremy Hosier, 3B: Cory Ray
WP: Andrew Herbert (11–1)
Sv: Brett Allen (8)
Boxscore LP: Boom Ward (0–1)
HR: Tucker Zdunich (17), Dylan Lewis (22)

Friday, May 24
4:15 pm
Game 3
(6) Tennessee Wesleyan 7–4 (3) Cumberlands Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Cody Whitehead, 1B: Jason Tice, 2B: Skip Powe, 3B: Tim Arndt
WP: Gage Vailes (4–2) Boxscore LP: Cooper Morgan (4–1)
HR: Dante Leach (3)

Friday, May 24
8:50 pm
Game 4
(10) IU–Southeast 6–5 (7) William Carey Harris Field
Attendance: 790
Umpires: HP: Jim Courtney, 1B: Jeremy Hosier, 2B: Cory Ray, 3B: Tim Arndt
WP: Luke Schafer (10–3)
Sv: Garrett Hill (8)
Boxscore LP: Andrew Shirah (8–5)
HR: Mason White 2 (19), Trevor Goodwin (7) HR: Bailee Hendon (11)

Saturday, May 25
8:35 am
Game 5
(8) Kansas Wesleyan 5–11 (4) Hope International Harris Field
Attendance: 495
Umpires: HP: Jason Tice, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Roger Rangel, 3B: Cody Whitehead
LP: Brett Maddock (9–3) Boxscore WP: David Rudd-Grow (2–2)
Sv: Josh Landry (1)
HR: Kendall Foster (24), Tyler Favretto (18), Reece Bishop (14) HR: JJ Cruz (13)

Saturday, May 25
12:15 pm
Game 6
(7) William Carey 4–6 (3) Cumberlands Harris Field
Attendance: 1010
Umpires: HP: Jeremy Hosier, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Tim Arndt, 3B: Jim Courtney
LP: Dario Herrera (6–2) Boxscore WP: Cesar Avila (13–0)
Sv: Chipper Korbacher (12)
HR: Preston Ratliff (2), Braydon Coffey (1) HR: Charlie Muniz (35)

Saturday, May 25
3:40 pm
Game 7
(9) Arizona Christian 5–3 (F/11) (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 1835
Umpires: HP: Skip Powe, 1B: Roger Rangel, 2B: Cody Whitehead, 3B: Jason Tice
WP: Trey Tarver (1–6) Boxscore LP: Reece Wissinger (1–1)
HR: Cristopher Munoz (6)

Saturday, May 25
7:55 pm
Game 8
(10) IU–Southeast 2–5 (2) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 1615
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Tim Arndt, 2B: Jim Courtney, 3B: Jeremy Hosier
LP: Connor Sims (4–3) Boxscore WP: Kaleb Hill (11–1)

Monday, May 27
8:35 am
Game 9
(3) Cumberlands 5–12 (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 929
Umpires: HP: Jim Courtney, 1B: Jeremy Hosier, 2B: Skip Powe, 3B: Cory Ray
LP: Kailen Hamson (6–1) Boxscore WP: Robb Adams (9–2)
Sv: Jake Cohen (1)
HR: Charlie Muniz (36), Ben Snapp (7)

Monday, May 27
12:25 am
Game 10
(4) Hope International 12–1 (10) IU–Southeast Harris Field
Attendance: 1016
Umpires: HP: Cody Whitehead, 1B: Tim Arndt, 2B: Jason Tice, 3B: Roger Rangel
WP: Trey Seeley (10–3) Boxscore LP: Tyler Yotkewich (8–6)
HR: David Rivera 2 (14), Alex Moreno (7), JJ Cruz 2 (15)

Monday, May 27
4:15 pm
Game 11
(5) Reinhardt 30–13 (9) Arizona Christian Harris Field
Attendance: 1333
Umpires: HP: Jeremy Hosier, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Cory Ray, 3B: Jim Courtney
WP: Ben Medley (8–4) Boxscore LP: Eastyn Culp (5–1)
HR: Jarrett Burney (9), Lance Dockery (10), Tucker Zdunich 3 (20), Dylan Lewis 2 (24), Adrian Vargas (5), Matty Maurer (7) HR: Marques Titialii (26), Riley Quinton (2)

Monday, May 27
8:40 pm
Game 12
(2) Georgia Gwinnett 12–6 (6) Tennessee Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 1517
Umpires: HP: Tim Arndt, 1B: Jason Tice, 2B; Roger Rangel, 3B: Cody Whitehead
WP: Ben Harris (11–1) Boxscore LP: Daniel Davila (7–4)
HR: Ajay Sczepkowski 2 (21), Caden Smith (12)

Tuesday, May 28
11:05 am
Game 13
(4) Hope International 8–1 (9) Arizona Christian Harris Field
Attendance: 411
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Jason Tice, 2B: Jeremy Hosier, 3B: Jim Courtney
WP: Justin Drury (10–0) Boxscore LP: Eli Elliott (8–5)

Tuesday, May 28
3:05 pm
Game 14
(1) Southeastern 6–8 (6) Tennessee Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 501
Umpires: HP: Roger Rangel, 1B: Cody Whitehead, 2B: Jim Courtney, 3B: Tim Arndt
LP: Ramsey David (6–2) Boxscore WP: Julian Berinti (2–1)
Sv: Jake Sergent (1)

Tuesday, May 28
6:35 pm
Game 15
(2) Georgia Gwinnett 4–6 (5) Reinhardt Harris Field
Attendance: 1095
Umpires: HP: Skip Powe, 1B: Jeremy Hosier, 2B: Tim Arndt, 3B: Jason Tice
LP: Tyler Clayton (8–1) Boxscore WP: Brett Allen (6–1)
HR: Braxton Meguiar (3) HR: Dylan Lewis (25), Luis Mendoza (8)

Championship Bracket

Wednesday, May 29
3:05 pm
Game 16
(4) Hope International 15–11 (2) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 1214
Umpires: HP: Jeremy Hosier, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Skip Powe, 3B: Cory Whitehead
WP: Steven Ordorica (3–1) Boxscore LP: Austin Testerman (0–1)
HR: JJ Cruz (16), Derek Sims (5) HR: Joe Quelch (11)

Wednesday, May 29
6:35 pm
Game 17
(6) Tennessee Wesleyan 6–2 (5) Reinhardt Harris Field
Attendance: 1330
Umpires: HP: Jason Tice, 1B: Skip Powe, 2B: Jim Courtney, 3B: Tim Arndt, LF: Jeremy Hosier, RF: Roger Rangel
WP: Daniel Davila (8–4) Boxscore LP: Adam Christopher (2–2)
HR: Marco Martinez (14)

Thursday, May 30
6:35 pm
Game 18
(5) Reinhardt 2–3 (F/11) (6) Tennessee Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 2197
Umpires: HP: Skip Powe, 1B: Cory Ray, 2B: Roger Rangel, 3B: Jim Courtney, LF: Jason Tice, RF: Cory Whitehead
LP: Andrew Herbert (11–2) Boxscore WP: Jake Sergent (5–2)
HR: Lance Dockery (11)

Championship Game

Friday, May 31 6:35 pm PDT at Harris Field
Game 19
Team123456789RHE
Tennessee Wesleyan2310000006114
Hope International40031051X14172
WP: Trey Seeley (11–3)   LP: Sam Rochard (7–3)   Sv: Steven Ordorica (4)
Home runs:
TWU: Jack Stevens (12), Kruise Newman (15)
HIU: David Rivera (15), JJ Cruz (17), Alec Arnone (5)
Attendance: 2653
Umpires: HP: Cory Ray, 1B: Roger Rangel; 2B: Cody Whitehead, 3B: Jason Tice
Boxscore

See also

Notes

  1. After Game 1 of the Shreveport bracket on May 13 was suspended due to rain in the 6th inning, Pilot Field was deemed unplayable. Thus, the completion of the suspended game plus all scheduled games on May 14 and 15 were played at Bossier Parish Community College. The tournament returned to Pilot Field for the championship game on May 16.

References

  1. "Hope International (Calif.) Claims First Red Banner in Program History". NAIA. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  2. "Baseball Opening Round Hosts Set". NAIA. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  3. "2024 NAIA Baseball National Championship Qualifiers Revealed". NAIA. May 9, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  4. "2024 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  5. "2024_ws_bracket.pdf" (PDF). NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  6. "2024 NAIA World Series Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
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