2018 NAIA baseball tournament

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2018 NAIA
baseball tournament
Teams46
Finals site
ChampionsSoutheastern (FL) (1st title)
Winning coachAdrian Dinkel
MVPManuel Mesa (Southeastern)
  • 2017
  • NAIA baseball tournament
  • 2019

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.

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 Ballpark Bowling Green, KY Bowling Green CVB
Doyle Buhl Stadium Williamsburg, KY University of the Cumberlands
Harrison Field Montgomery, AL Faulkner University
Grizzly Baseball Complex Lawrenceville, GA Georgia Gwinnett College
Jim Wade Stadium Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City University
McBean Stadium Lincoln, CA Placer Valley Tourism
William Jessup University
Winterholter Field Upland, IN Taylor University
Hunter Wright Stadium Kingsport, TN Visit Kingsport
Milton Wheeler Field Hattiesburg, MS William Carey University

Bids[edit]

Automatic[edit]

School Conference Record Berth Last NAIA Appearance
Antelope Valley (CA) NAIA West Group 41–11–1 Regular season champion 2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
Bellevue (NE) North Star 37–21 Tournament champion 2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
British Columbia NAIA West Group 28–24 Tournament runner-up 2016 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Campbellsville (KY) Mid-South 36–15 Tournament champion 2017 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Central Methodist (MO) Heart 40–14 Tournament runner-up 2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Clarke (IA) Heart 35–21–1 Tournament champion 2017 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Freed–Hardeman (TN) American Midwest 40–14 Tournament champion 2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I. 45–10 Tournament runner-up 2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Indiana Tech Wolverine-Hoosier 42–19 Regular season champion 2017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Indiana Wesleyan Crossroads 37–18 Regular season champion 2016 (Montgomery Bracket)
IU–Southeast River States 40–12 Regular season champion 2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Judson (IL) Chicagoland 35–18 Regular season champion 2017 (Bellevue Bracket)
Lewis-Clark State (ID) NAIA West Group 38–11 World Series host 2017 NAIA World Series
LSU–Alexandria Red River 32–25 Tournament champion 2017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
LSU–Shreveport Red River 39–20 Regular season champion 2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Lyon (AR) American Midwest 36–15 Regular season champion 2017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
Madonna (MI) Wolverine-Hoosier 36–16 Tournament runner-up 2016 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
Marian (IN) Crossroads 24–25 Tournament champion 2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Middle Georgia State Southern States 45–16 Tournament champion 2017 (Lima Bracket)
Midland (NE) Great Plains 32–20 Tournament runner-up 2017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Northwestern (IA) Great Plains 30–18 Regular season champion 2014 (Shawnee Bracket)
Oklahoma City Sooner 47–7 Tournament runner-up 2017 NAIA World Series
Oklahoma Wesleyan Kansas 51–6 Regular season champion 2017 NAIA World Series
Point (GA) Appalachian 34–23 Tournament champion 2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Point Park (PA) River States 45–7 Tournament champion 2014 (Marion Bracket)
Science & Arts (OK) Sooner 45–6 Tournament champion 2017 NAIA World Series
Talladega (AL) A.I.I. 27–22 Tournament champion 2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian 37–19 Tournament runner-up 2017 (Kingsport Bracket)
Trinity Christian (IL) Chicagoland 34–21 Regular season champion 2013 (Joliet Bracket)
Webber International (FL) The Sun 35–22 Tournament champion 2017 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
William Jessup (CA) Golden State 38–15 Tournament champion First appearance
York (NE) Kansas 29–21 Tournament runner-up 2016 (Grand Rapids Bracket)

At–Large[edit]

School Conference Record Last NAIA Appearance
Bryan (TN) Appalachian 40–15 2017 (Bartlesville Bracket)
Cumberland (TN) Mid-South 34–19 2014 NAIA World Series
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South 46–9 2017 (Montgomery Bracket)
Faulkner (AL) Southern States 50–7 2017 NAIA World Series
Jamestown (ND) North Star 41–9 2017 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Keiser (FL) The Sun 37–17 2017 NAIA World Series
Mobile (AL) Southern States 42–15 First appearance
Northwestern Ohio Wolverine-Hoosier 38–18 2017 (Lima Bracket)
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian 38–17 First appearance
Southeastern (FL) The Sun 51–7 2017 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
St. Thomas (FL) The Sun 53–7 2017 (Montgomery Bracket)
Taylor (IN) Crossroads 43–14 2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Westmont (CA) Golden State 34–16 2016 (Santa Barbara Bracket)
William Carey (MS) Southern States 33–23 2017 NAIA World Series

Opening Round[edit]

Source:[3]

Bowling Green Bracket[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Participants[edit]

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)
44–12–1 Jacob Garsez Lincoln none none 0–0
Faulkner (AL) Southern States 50–7 Patrick McCarthy Montgomery 6
(last: 2017)
1st
(2013)
17–10
Freed–Hardeman (TN) American Midwest 47–15 Jonathan Estes Upland none none 0–0
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I. 48–10 Brad Stromdahl Lawrenceville 1
(last: 2014)
T-7th
(2014)
1–2
Lewis–Clark State (ID) NAIA West Group
(Frontier)
38–11 Jeremiah Robbins n/a 36
(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-Hoosier 42–18 Kory Hartman Williamsburg none none 0–0
Oklahoma City Sooner 50–8 Denney Crabaugh Oklahoma City 15
(last: 2017)
1st
(2005)
35–29
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian 41–18 Bill Popp Bowling Green none none 0–0
Southeastern (FL) The Sun 54–7 Adrian Dinkel Macon none none 0–0
St. Thomas (FL) The Sun 56–7 Jorge Perez Hattiesburg 5
(last: 2015)
2nd
(2015)
7–12

Bracket[edit]

Preliminary Bracket[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Preliminary Bracket[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Thursday, May 31 6:35 pm PDT at Harris Field
Game 18
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Southeastern 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 10 0
Freed–Hardeman 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 6 2
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[edit]

References[edit]

  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.