Schedule for the first two days of the 66th NAIA Baseball National Championship, Friday-Saturday, May 26-June 2, Harris Field, Lewiston, ID (all times PDT):
Friday, 8:35 AM: #10 seed MidAmerica Nazarene (34-26) vs. #7 Taylor (40-15)
MidAmerica Nazarene (Olathe, KS) is making their second appearance in the Baseball National Championship. They went 0-2 last year. They were runners-up in the Heart of America Conference tournament. Twitter: @mnusports
Nickname: Pioneers
Rankings: Unranked in coaches’ poll, #67 in Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating (ISR). Strength of Schedule: #65
Quality wins: 3-2 vs. Central Methodist, Morningside, 2-1 vs. LSU-Shreveport
Top position players: 1B/RHP Noah Castillo (.357, 11 HR, 45 RBI, and 1-6, 7.45 ERA, 26 K on the mound), SS Brycen Sherwood (.304, 10 HR, 37 RBI), IF Javier Melendez (Salinas, Puerto Rico; .350, 8 HR, 47 RBI), OF Sean Maple (.300, 8 HR, 36 RBI), 3B Dionathan Cornet (San Nicolas, Aruba; .282, 9 HR, 43 RBI)
Top pitchers: RHP Reece Holland (Moose Jaw, SK; 5-0, 3.52 ERA, 25 K), RHP Zach Trevino (9-2, 4.06 ERA, 98 K), LHP Kristian Hurtado (3-1, 3.58 ERA, 30 K), RHP Tyler Frieders (10-5, 4.85 ERA, 96 K)
Coach: Ryan Thompson, 17th season
Outlook: The Pioneers have improved their pitching since last year, but it might not be enough to come home with a win.
Taylor (Upland, IN) is making their second appearance in the Baseball National Championship; the previous one was in 1969. They won the Crossroads League regular season championship. Twitter: @taylorbaseball
Nickname: Trojans
Rankings: #19 in coaches’ poll, #27 in ISR. SoS: #64
Quality wins: Benedictine-Mesa, Kansas Wesleyan, 4-0 vs. Indiana Wesleyan
Top position players: RHP/OF Kaleb Kolpien (.431, 6 HR, 51 RBI), C Ben Kalbaugh (.346, 7 HR, 46 RBI), 1B Cade Vander Molen (.305, 13 HR, 58 RBI), C/OF T.J. Bass (.281, 18 HR, 56 RBI). Kolpien’s average is the 17th highest in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: RHP Jack Ross (6-0, 2.89 ERA, 51 K, 8 saves), RHP Matt Dutkowski (7-2, 3.35 ERA, 81 K), RHP Alec Holcomb (6-2, 4.64 ERA, 66 K), RHP Dalton Swinehart (4-1, 5.45 ERA, 72 K)
Coach: Kyle Gould, 19th season
Outlook: The Trojans should win a game.
11:35 AM: #6 U. Of the Cumberlands (49-7) vs. #3 Westmont (43-8)
U. of the Cumberlands (Williamsburg, KY) is making their first-ever appearance in the Baseball National Championship. They won the regular season and tournament championships of the Mid-South Conference. Twitter: @PatsBaseballUC
The Patriots win this year’s United Nations award hands down. Five from Puerto Rico, two from the Dominican Republic, two from Canada, and one from Aruba.
Nickname: Patriots
Rankings: Tied for #6 in coaches’ poll, #15 in ISR. SoS: #101
Quality wins: Tennessee Wesleyan
Top position players: C Charlie Muniz (Naranjito, Dominican Republic; .429, 23 HR, 72 RBI), IF Max Harper (.416, 23 HR, 84 RBI), UTL Josh Simon (Santa Cruz, Aruba; .395, 10 HR, 55 RBI), IF Sujel Arias (San Cristobal, Dominican Republic; .385, 14 HR, 60 RBI), OF Evan St. Claire (.371, 15 HR, 69 RBI). Muniz and Harper are tied with two other players, including Cullen of Southeastern, for eighth most home runs in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: RHP Jared Shelton (2-0, 0.00 RBI, 31 K), RHP Cesar Avila (1-2, 1.91 ERA, 41 K), RHP Knicko Billings (8-0, 2.82 ERA, 66 K), RHP Hunter Rigsby (7-2, 3.48 ERA, 92 K), LHP Garrett DeClue (11-0, 4.28 ERA, 80K)
Coach: Kyle Gould, 19th season
Outlook: The Patriots have some hitting and pitching. Let’s see how they do against stiffer competition.
Westmont (Santa Barbara, CA) is making their second appearance in the Baseball National Championship. It will also be the last one for a while; they are moving to NCAA Division II next year. They went 0-2 last year. They won the regular season and tournament championships of the Golden State Athletic Conference. Twitter: @WestmontSports
Nickname: Warriors
Rankings: Tied for #6 in coaches’ poll, #1 in ISR. SoS: #6
Quality wins: 3-1 vs. Oregon Tech, 3-0 vs. Vanguard, 3-3 vs. Hope International, British Columbia, 2-0 vs. Benedictine-Mesa
Top position players: IF Brady Renck (.422, 5 HR, 47 RBI), IF/OF Michael Soper (.331, 28 RBI), OF Bryce McFeely (.324, 45 RBI), C Shane Hofstadler (.306, 11 HR, 38 RBI), Ryan DeSaegher (.306, 5 HR, 52 RBI)
Top pitchers: RHP Bryan Peck (9-1, 2.84 ERA, 102 K), RHP Chase Goddard (10-1, 3.05 ERA, 45 K), RHP Eric Osegura (7-1, 4.18 ERA, 38 K), RHP Aidan Holly (4-0, 1.52 ERA, 27 K), RHP Gabe Arteaga (2-1, 2.28 ERA, 22 K, 8 saves)
Coach: Tyler LaTorre, first season
Outlook: The Warriors got here by winning what was by far the strongest Opening Round bracket. They played a strong schedule. They are the team most likely to challenge Southeastern for the championship.
3:05 PM: #5 Bellevue (48-8) vs. #4 William Carey (47-9)
Bellevue (Bellevue, NE) is making their 16th appearance in the Baseball National Championship. The most recent appearance was in 2022, and they finished 1-2. They won the regular season and tournament championships of the North Star Athletic Conference. Twitter: @BUBruinBaseball
Nickname: Bruins
Rankings: #5 in coaches’ poll, #19 in ISR. SoS: #121 (lowest in tournament)
Quality wins: Concordia-Nebraska, Southeastern. 1-1 vs. Morningside
Top position players: OF Kanta Kobayashi (Tokyo; .396, 40 RBI, 15 stolen bases), 1B Mathieu Sirois (Quebec City, QC; .382, 13 HR, 45 RBI), IF Drew Staley (.378, 32 RBI), C/IF Logan Grant (Chestermere, AB; .377, 11 HR, 68 RBI), 3B Nick Grade (.363, 15 HR, 61 RBI), Conner Barnett (.336, 30 RBI)
Top pitchers: LHP Blake Crippen (10-2, 3.38 ERA, 72 K), RHP Alexandro Celiceo (10-1, 3.96 ERA, 76 K)
Coach: Duane Monlux, 13th season
Outlook: The Bruins should finish in the middle of the pack.
William Carey (Hattiesburg, MS) is making their fourth appearance at the Baseball National Championship. The most recent one was in 2017. They won the championship in 1969. They won the regular season championship of the Southern States Athletic Conference. Twitter: @CareyAthletics
Nickname: Crusaders
Rankings: #8 in coaches’ poll, #9 in ISR. SoS: #37
Quality wins: Taylor, 3-1 vs. Mobile, 2-0 vs. Ave Maria
Top position players: OF/RHP R.J. Stinson (.401, 11 HR, 74 RBI), IF Patrick Lee (.398, 14 HR, 50 RBI), IF Bobby Lada (.379, 10 HR, 39 RBI), IF Jake Lycette (.274, 12 HR, 69 RBI). Stinson has the 18th-most RBI in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: RHP A.J. Stinson (7-2, 3.18 ERA, 96 K), RHP Andrew Shirah (10-1, 3.83 ERA, 82 K), LHP Dario Herrera (9-0, 3.93 ERA, 76 K)
Coach: Bobby Halford, 38th season
Outlook: The Crusaders should finish in the middle of the pack.
7:05 PM: #9 Lewis-Clark State (33-16) vs. #8 Indiana Wesleyan (39-18-1)
Lewis-Clark State (Lewiston, ID) has won 19 national championships; the last one was in 2017. They were the runners-up in 2022, with a 4-2 record. Twitter: @LCWarriors
Nickname: Warriors
Rankings: unranked in coaches’ poll, #4 in ISR. SoS: #3 (highest in tournament)
Quality wins: LSU-Shreveport, Hope International
Top position players: OF Nick Seamons (.356, 15 HR, 44 RBI), C Sam Olsson (.347, 8 HR, 32 RBI), IF Dominic Signorelli (.347, 10 HR, 39 RBI), OF Carter Booth (.329, 11 HR, 39 RBI), OF Isaiah Thomas (.328, 14 HR, 47 RBI), 1B Charlie Updegrave (.327, 9 HR, 25 RBI in only 15 games)
Top Pitchers: RHP Greg Blackman (2-1, 1.87 ERA, 50 K), RHP Cameron Smith (4-2, 3.30 ERA, 40 K), RHP Trevin Hope (5-3, 3.81 ERA, 52 K), LHP Dallas McGill (3-3, 4.60 ERA, 51 K)
Coach: Jake Taylor, fifth season
Outlook: This Warriors team probably isn’t as good as the team that finished second last year, but they played a very strong schedule, and got here through the second-strongest Opening Round bracket. All nine of Updegrave’s home runs have happened since he returned to the lineup on April 26, so he’s dangerous. If the Warriors get by Indiana Wesleyan on Friday, their matchup against Southeastern Saturday night should be a good one.
Indiana Wesleyan (Marion) is making their first-ever appearance in the Baseball National Championship. They won the Crossroads League tournament. Twitter: @IWU_Baseball
Nickname: Wildcats
Rankings: Unranked in coaches’ poll, #34 in ISR. SoS: #58
Quality wins: Webber International, Bryan, Missouri Baptist, Webber International, Bryan, Missouri Baptist
Top position players: IF Lucas Goodin (.373, 19 HR, 66 RBI), C/IF Ty Matthews (.325, 9 HR, 44 RBI), IF Nick Wiley (.284, 12 HR, 53 RBI), OF Evan Salmon (.267, 14 HR, 44 RBI)
Top pitchers: RHP Drue Young (6-1, 3.84 ERA, 89 K), RHP Evan Fry (4-3, 4.04 ERA, 72 K), RHP Brock Buckley (9-3, 4.46 ERA, 53 K), RHP Will Eldridge (5-5, 5.20 ERA, 77 K)
Coach: Rich Benjamin, eighth season
Outlook: Happy to be here.
Saturday, 3:05 PM: #2 Georgia Gwinnett (50-6) vs. Taylor-MidAmerica Nazarene winner
Georgia Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, GA) is making their sixth trip to Lewiston. They went 1-2 last year. They won the championship in 2021. They won the Continental Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Twitter: @GGC_Baseball
Nickname: Grizzlies
Rankings:#3 in coaches’ poll, #7 in ISR. SoS: #46
Quality wins: 2-1 vs. Indiana Wesleyan, 3-0 vs. Taylor, 1-1 vs. Tennessee Wesleyan, 2-0 vs. Madonna, Mobile, 2-0 vs. Bryan
Top position players: OF Jon Ponder (.432, 16 HR, 56 RBI), IF Jesus Pacheco (.429, 44 RBI), IF Braxton Megular (.420, 38 RBI), OF Ajay Sczepkowski (.417, 30 HR, 97 RBI), OF Blaze O’Saben (.413, 46 RBI). Sczepkowski leads the NAIA in RBI, and has the second-most home runs. Ponder’s average is the 16th highest in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: RHP Gage Williams (10-1, 3.15 ERA, 103 K), RHP Ben Harris (7-1, 2.88 ERA, 69 K), LHP Tyler Clayton (7-2, 4.43 ERA, 84 K), RHP Cameron Repetti (12-0, 3.50 ERA, 89 K), RHP Jonathan Haab (2-0, 3.90 ERA, 60 K). Repetti is tied with three other pitchers for most wins in the NAIA.
Coach: Jeremy Sheetinger, fourth season
Outlook: The Grizzlies have got some hitting, but their schedule wasn’t that strong, and they got here by winning the weakest Opening Round bracket. They have an outside chance of challenging for the championship.
6:35 PM: #1 Southeastern (55-4) vs. Indiana Wesleyan-Lewis-Clark State winner
Southeastern (Lakeland, FL) is making their fifth straight appearance at the Baseball National Championship. They are the defending champions, and they won the championship in 2018. They won the regular season (with a six-game margin) and tournament championships of The Sun Conference. Twitter: @SEUFireBaseball
Nickname: Fire
Rankings: #1 in coaches’ poll, #2 in ISR. SoS: #21
Quality wins: Benedictine-Mesa, Vanguard, Lewis-Clark State, Central Methodist, 3-1 vs. Ave Maria, 5-1 vs. Webber International, 2-0 vs. Kansas Wesleyan
Top position players: IF Isaac Nunez (.451, 17 HR, 59 RBI), DH/1B Gary Lora (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; .408, 16 HR, 73 RBI), IF Adonys Herrera (La Romana, Dominican Republic; .402, 12 HR, 48 RBI), 1B Stephen Cullen (.367, 23 HR, 61 RBI), OF/1B Chayce Bryant (.362, 19 HR, 56 RBI), OF Josh Pigozzo (.358, 13 HR, 56 RBI). Nunez’ average is the 11th highest in the NAIA (highest in the tournament). Cullen is tied with three other players, including Harper and Muniz of U. Of the Cumberland, for eighth-most home runs. Lora has the 20th-most RBI.
Top pitchers: Reese Wissinger (4-0, 0.96 ERA, 71 K in 37 2/3 IP), Juan Pimintel (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; 7-0, 1.72 ERA, 44 K), LHP Robb Adams (7-1, 3.03 ERA, 99 K), Andrew Long (7-0, 2.06, 50 K), Darien Smith (10-3, 2.96 ERA, 111 K). Smith is tenth in the NAIA in strikeouts.
Coach: Adrian Dinkel, seventh season
Outlook: The Fire are the team to beat. They won it last year, and were ranked #1 during the entire season. They did lose a game during their conference tournament, and had a narrow win over Madonna in the Opening Round. So, there’s a chance.
Predicted order of finish:
Southeastern
Westmont
Georgia Gwinnett
Lewis-Clark State
William Carey
Bellevue
U. Of the Cumberlands
Taylor
Indiana Wesleyan
MidAmerica Nazarene
If the top four seeds all win their first games, Monday’s matchups will be Georgia Gwinnett vs. Westmont (3:05 PM) and Southeastern vs. William Carey (6:35 PM). Tournament bracket Schedule and Results News Releases
In a long-standing Lewiston tradition, all games are audio webcast by KOZE Radio, free of charge. Video webcasts for the first 15 games of the tournament are by Stretch Internet. It’s $14.95 per day, or $34.95 for all 19 games. Live stats are available for all games by clicking here. The semifinal and final games will also be streamed live by ESPN 3.
