Seven of the nine Opening Round brackets were decided today, and two “if necessary” games will be played on Monday, May 13.
Sterlingwas the first team to qualify for this year's National Championship tournament. They won the Oklahoma City bracket by defeating Oklahoma City 1-0 in the final. Steven Cazares pitched a three-hit shutout for the Warriors. The only run of the game came on an RBI single by C Ian Josh in the second inning.
The Warriors got to the final by defeating Science and Arts of Oklahoma8-5, and Jamestown13-3. DH Andrew Clark hit a grand slam home run against USAO; Daniel Cloteaux got the win, despite allowing 13 hits and walking four in six inning of work (story). The Warriors got six runs in the first inning against Jamestown, led by a bases-loaded triple by 3B Anthony Feliciano. Feliciano, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, had a total of six RBI for the game. The Warriors used four pitchers, gave up 14 hits (story).
This will be Sterling's first-ever appearance in the National Championship tournament. The school is located in Sterling, KS. It has 674 students, and supports 16 varsity sports.
Players from NAIA schools taken in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft:
Position | Player | School | Round | Overall | MLB team | Story |
C | Simon Reid | Westmont | 10 | 315 | Dodgers | story |
OF | Chris Williams Jr. | William Carey | 18 | 537 | Tigers | story |
Blowouts in Shreveport, and upsets in Columbus, GA.
At the Southern States Athletic Conferencetournament in Columbus:
#4-ranked Leewent two-and-out. They were taken out by #19 Southern Polytechnic 7-4. The Hornets won it with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on only one hit; the winning run was scored by courtesy runner Conrad Boron when pinch-hitter Blake Parrot drew a bases-loaded walk. The Hornets drew a total of eight walks and two hit batters. Brad Hutson got the win in relief; starter Josh Strawn put in a good effort for the Hornets, recorded eleven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, allowed three earned runs on eight hits.
#6 Auburn-Montgomeryalso went two-and-out, losing to #16 Brewton-Parker 8-7 (10 innings). 1B Jacob Evors hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to send it into extra innings, then hit a bases-loaded single in the tenth to win it. Evors finished the game 3-6 with five RBI. The Barons used six pitchers; Ben Gillespie got the win, faced two batters, threw nine pitches. Story from Auburn-Montgomery site: No. 6 AUM Falls in Extras to No. 16 Brewton-Parker, 8-7
#13 Faulkner is still in the tournament, but they're in the losers' bracket. The Eagles lost to host William Carey7-6. RF Javier Ortiz scored the winning run in the seventh; he reached base on a walk, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a wild throw. Starter Scotty Reese got the win for the Crusaders; Ortiz finished the game 2-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Third round action at the Southern States Athletic Conferencetournament in Columbus, GA:
#13 Faulknerand #19 Southern Polytechnicjoined the list of ranked teams that have been taken out of this tournament. Faulkner lost 7-4 to #16 Brewton-Parker7-4. The winning run for the Barons came in the sixth inning; 2B Errick Fox scored when LF Randall Shepherd drew a bases-loaded walk. Fox went 3-5 with an RBI for the game.
#22 Belhavenis now in the driver's seat in this tournament. The Blazers defeated host William Carey7-1. Both teams had six hits, but four of the Blazers' came in the fifth inning; they scored six runs, four of which came on a grand slam home run by CF Tyler Wrinkle. Brandon McHenry got the win; he went seven innings, allowed no runs on five hits, struck out six.
Shorter took out Southern Polytechnic 4-3. The Hawks trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, but pinch-hitter Shannon Houston hit a two-RBI single to win it. Tim Day got the win in relief, but a good effort by starter Stephen Adkins kept the Hawks in the game; he went seven innings, allowed three runs on seven hits.
Schedule for Tuesday(times EDT): Brewton-Parker vs. Belhaven, 1 PM, audio webcast; William Carey vs. Shorter, 4 PM.
Third round action at the Red River Athletic Conferencetournament in Shreveport:
#9 LSU-Shreveportcontinued their domination of this tournament, defeating Texas-Brownsville11-4. This game was tied 2-2 after four innings, but the Pilots scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth; SS Manny Estrada and DH Kyle Pearson hit RBI doubles, and 1B Kevin Smith, 2B Michael Diffie and CF Justin Brodnax hit RBI singles. Pearson finished 3-4 with two RBI.
#17 Northwood (TX) stayed in the tournament by defeating Wiley8-2.
Schedule for Tuesday(times CDT): Northwood vs. Texas-Brownsville, 11:30 AM; LSU-Shreveport vs. Northwood-Texas-Brownsville winner, 3:00 PM, audio webcast.
The start of the TranSouth Athletic Conferencetournament in Jackson, TN was postponed until Tuesday due to weather. The Sun Conference tournament starts Tuesday in Fort Myers, FL. The Golden State Athletic Conferencetournament starts in Riverside, CA on Tuesday. The Sooner Athletic Conferencetournament starts in Lubbock, TX on Wednesday. The NAIA Westtournament starts in Atherton, CA on Wednesday.
#21 Belhavenwon the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament, defeating William Carey in the final 16-5. The Blazers put it away with ten runs in the third inning, led by a grand slam home run by C Ryan Saunders; all of the runs were scored with two out.
Belhaven, Lee, and Auburn-Montgomery will be in the Opening Round tournament. Faulkner, Southern Polytechnic,and Brewton-Parkerwill have to wait until the final coaches' poll next week.
Results from the TranSouth Conferencetournament in Jackson, TN:
#4 Cumberlandwas upset by Bethel (TN) (ISR #59) 9-7 in the first round. The Bulldogs led 5-2 after five innings, but the Wildcats scored four runs in the sixth inning on no hits, three bases on balls, and three errors. The winning run came in the seventh inning on a two-RBI double by LF Jay Lowery.
#22 Trevecca Nazarenedefeated Freed-Hardeman4-1. The winning run came on a sacrifice fly by DH Jordan Foreman.
Martin Methodistdefeated Union U. (TN)(ISR #23) 2-1. Martin Methodist starter Jerry McMurtry went eight innings, allowed one run on five hits, struck out ten, threw 128 pitches. Jeremey Stack went the distance for Union U.; he allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out seven, threw 126 pitches. The winning run came on a wild pitch by Stack.
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.
Schedule for the first two days of the 67th NAIA Baseball National Championship, Friday-Saturday, May 24-31, Harris Field, Lewiston, ID (all times PDT):
Friday, 8:35 AM: #8 seed Kansas Wesleyan (48-10) vs. #9 Arizona Christian (36-19)
Kansas Wesleyan (Salina) is making their first trip to the Baseball National Championship. They won the regular season championship of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference by a four-game margin. Twitter: @KWUBaseball
Nickname:Coyotes
Rankings:#20 in coaches' poll
Quality wins:3-0 vs. Tabor, Concordia-Nebraska, LSU-Shreveport
Top position players:SS Jarrett Gable (.386, 19 HR, 76 RBI), C Tyler Favretto (Montreal; .358, 17 HR, 57 RBI), OF Kendall Foster (.353, 23 HR, 61 RBI), OF Jacob Williamson (.323, 17 HR, 58 RBI), 3B Reece Bishop (.315, 13 HR, 56 RBI)
Top pitchers:RHP Jarrett Brannen (11-1, 3.94 ERA, 77 K), RHP Brett Maddock (9-2, 5.35 ERA, 75 K), RHP K.T. Gearlds (2-0, 0.99 ERA, 40 K), RHP Ritter Steinmann (2-1, 1.99 ERA, 49 K)
Coach:Bill Neale, tenth season
Outlook:Will be fortunate to get a win. And if they get by Arizona Christian, their next game will be against Southeastern.
Arizona Christian (Glendale) is making their first trip to the Baseball National Championship. They finished third in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Twitter: @ACUBaseball1
Nickname:Firestorm
Rankings:Unranked in coaches' poll
Quality wins:Tennessee Wesleyan, Oklahoma City, Lewis-Clark State, British Columbia
Top position players: OF Marques Titialii (.384, 24HR, 83 RBI), OF Andrew Ivy (.344, 8 HR, 43 RBI), 1B/LHP Trey Tarver (.343, 12 HR, 44 RBI, and 0-6, 5.18 ERA, 43 K on the mound), OF/IF Kane Klaunis (.330, 12 HR, 54 RBI), OF/1B Jared Anderson (.326, 5 HR, 41 RBI). Titialii's 24 home runs are eighth-best in the NAIA.
Top pitchers:RHP Adrian Santa Cruz (9-4, 4.09 ERA, 100 K), RHP Eli Elliott (7-4, 3.20 ERA, 99 K), RHP Chay Esqueda (2-0, 3.86 ERA, 47 K), RHP Jackson Hohensee (4-2, 6.04 ERA, 73 K in 44 IP). Santa Cruz pitched a complete game shutout vs. Lewis-Clark State in the Opening Round.
Coach:Joe McDonald, sixth season
Outlook:After an OK season in a strong conference, the Firestorm got here by winning the strongest opening round bracket. They could do some damage.
11:35 AM: #4 Hope International (40-15) vs. #5 Reinhardt(41-16)
Hope International (Fullerton, CA) is making their second appearance in the Baseball National Championship. The first one was in 2017. They won the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season championship. Twitter: @HIURoyals
Nickname:Royals
Rankings:#10 in coaches' poll
Quality wins: 7-0 vs. Ottawa-Arizona, 1-1 vs. Westmont, 2-1 vs. Arizona Christian, 3-3 vs. Jessup, Central Methodist
Top position players:IF J.J. Cruz (.408, 12 HR, 70 RBI), IF David Rivera (.389, 12 HR, 53 RBI), IF Alex Moreno (.387, 6 HR, 43 RBI), OF Dean Tolgo (.353, 12 HR, 44 RBI)
Top pitchers:RHP Justin Drury (9-0, 3.41 ERA, 61 K), RHP Trey Seeley (9-3, 3.95 ERA, 116K), RHP Steven Ordorica (2-1, 2.88 ERA, 40 K), RHP Boom Ward (0-0, 2.60 ERA, 29 K)
Coach:Larry Mahoney, third season
Outlook:The Royals are the champions of a strong conference, and had the best strength of schedule coming into the opening round. They are a contender.
Results of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID for May 31.
The Warrriors lit up a depleted Crusader pitching staff with six home runs. The barrage started with a three-run home run by Nick Seamons in the bottom of the second inning, chasing Crusader starter Andrew Shirah. The Warriors led 6-0 after two innings. The Crusaders got back into it with six runs in the top of the fourth inning, starting with a two-RBI triple by Rigoberto Hernandez. Hernandez scored on a ground out by Caleb Laird. Bobby Lada hit a three-run home run to tie the game 6-6, but the Crusaders didn’t score again the rest of the way. Isaiah Thomas hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. Seamons hit his second home run of the game, for two runs, in the bottom of the fifth.
At that point, the Warriors led 9-6, and the game was still within reach for the Crusaders. However, the Warriors started the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run by Jakob Marquez. After an out on a popup, Carter Booth hit a home run. That chased John Snyder, who entered the game in the second inning. His replacement, Caeleb Williams, faced three batters, walked two of them. Williams was replaced by Connor Adams, and he was greeted with a three-run home run by Thomas, his second of the game. Dominic Signorelli hit a single, and scored on a double by Pu’ukani De Sa to complete the scoring. Every one of the Warriors’ starting position players got a hit.
Results of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID for May 29.
The Wildcats got ten runs in the first two innings, and they needed every one of them, plus one more that they added in the bottom of the eighth.
The Wildcats’ barrage was led by three-run home runs by Ty Mathews and Jeff Morton in the second inning. However, the Grizzlies got back into the game with five runs in the top of the fourth, led by a three-run home run by Braxton Meguilar, and a solo home run by Caden Smith. Ajay Szcepkowski added another solo home run in the fifth, and the Wildcats’ lead was cut to 10-6. The Grizzlies made it a one-run game by scoring three runs in the top of the eighth on an RBI double by Cohen Wilbanks, an RBI single by Devin Warner, and a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Brody Parkerson. However, in the bottom of the eighth, the Bobcats got what turned out to be a crucial insurance run. The Grizzlies got within one run again with Szcepkowski’s second home run of the game in the top of the ninth, but the game ended with a double play.
Schedule for the first two days of the 61st NAIA Baseball National Championship, Friday-Saturday, May 26-27, Harris Field, Lewiston, ID (all times PDT):
8:30 AM: #7 seed Science and Arts of Oklahoma (47-15) vs. #10 The Master's (39-21)
Science and Arts of Oklahoma (Chikasha, OK) is making their second appearance at the Baseball National Championship. They went two-and-out last year, and were taken out by The Master's. The Drovers win the United Nations award for the second straight year; they have an Australian, five Puerto Ricans, and a Dominican Republican.
Nickname:Drovers
Rankings: #19 in coaches' poll, #27 in ISR. Strength of Schedule: #37
Quality wins:3-1 vs. Bellevue, Davenport, 3-1 vs. Friends, Oklahoma Baptist
Top position players: UTL Christian Perez (.434, 10 HR, 59 RBI, Bayamon, Puerto Rico), RF Randy Ventura (.429, 10 HR, 52 RBI, Carolina, Puerto Rico), C Dillon White (.410, 15 HR, 80 RBI). White's 80 RBI are fifth-best in the NAIA.
Top pitchers: LHP Francis Ventura (10-1, 1.64 ERA, 88 K), LHP Jose Hidalgo (9-1, 2.04 ERA, 85 K), RHP Ruddy Estrella (1-1, 2.49 ERA, 29 K), LHP Carson Korff (8-0, 2.56 ERA, 52 K). Ventura's ERA is third-lowest in the NAIA, and lowest of the pitchers in this tournament. Hidalgo's ERA is 15th-lowest.
Coach: Mike Ross, 13th season
Outlook: The Drovers had to beat a really good Bellevue team twice and a good Davenport team to get here. This is a tough first round matchup for both teams.
The Master's (Santa Clarita, CA) is making their fourth appearance at the Baseball National Championship. They went 1-2 in last year's tournament. The win was 6-1 over Science and Arts of Oklahoma; RHP Brad Lohse pitched a complete game. They won the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament by winning five straight after losing the opening game.
Nickname:Mustangs
Rankings: Unranked in coaches' poll, #7 in ISR. SoS: #6
Quality wins:4-1 vs. Menlo, 2-0 vs. Georgia Gwinnett. Defeated Hope International twice in GSAC tournament.
Top position players: C Jonah Jarrard (.413, 12 HR, 46 RBI), 3B Michael Sexton (.401, 16 HR, 59 RBI), CF Max Maitland (.351), SS Aaron Shackelford (.316, 14 HR, 50 RBI), 1B David Sheaffer (262, 8 HR, 59 RBI)
Top pitchers: RHP Danny Lutz (2-1, 2.53 ERA, 29 K), RHP Aaron Alexander (10-4, 2.84 ERA, 95 K), RHP Robert Winslow (8-5, 2.92 ERA, 97 K), RHP Jason Karkenny (5-2, 4.28 ERA, 49 K)
Coach: Monte Brooks, 21st season
Outlook: After a slow start, the Mustangs went 24-4 since March 25, and enter this tournament with a nine-game winning streak. Preview from The Master's College.
RHP Keegan Yuhl, a transfer from Lee, pitched a no-hitter for #9 Concordia-Irvine in a 9-0 non-conference win over Antelope Valley. Yuhl threw 115 pitches, struck out 12, walked three. Story from Concordia-Irvine: Keegan Yuhl Throws First No-Hitter In Concordia History. The story includes three video clips; scroll down to see them. Box score.
The Eagles didn't just get a no-hitter and a three game sweep of Antelope Valley; all three games were shutouts, and the Eagles allowed only four hits for the series.
#12 The Master's won two of three at #22 San Diego Christian in a Golden State Athletic Conference matchup of two teams that were previously undefeated. The scores were 4-2, 8-11, and 3-1. The Mustangs got three runs on the top of the ninth inning to win the first game; 1B Josh Brown hit a two-RBI single to bring in the winning run. Jason Karkenny pitched two perfect innings to get the win in relief. 3B Jeff Lusardi hit a home run, a double, and five RBI for the Hawks in the second game. RHP Tucker Richardson pitched a seven-inning gem for the Mustangs in the third game; three hits, nine strikeouts, one walk. He was one out short of a shutout; Lusardi hit a home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Mustangs visit Concordia-Irvine Feb. 7-8. The Hawks host #16 Cal State San Marcos Feb. 8.
The split between The Master's and San Diego Christian enabled Vanguard to take over first place in the GSAC. The Lions swept three games against Arizona Christian, 3-2, 4-2, and 2-1. The Lions were held to three hits by Ismael Castro in the first game, but all three Lions runs were unearned. CF Thomas Mobley hit a two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to win the second game. Scott Torrey went the seven-inning distance for the Lions in the third game, didn't allow an earned run, allowed four hits, struck out six. The Lions visit Westmont Feb. 7-8. Live video
Eight of the NAIA's top ten teams have started their seasons.
#9 Faulkner, a team with heavy graduation losses, started their season with a double-header sweep of defending champion and #1 Tennessee Wesleyan, 5-4 and 12-0. The next day, the Eagles split a double-header with #12 Lindsey Wilson, winning 5-2, and losing 10-7 (ten innings, scheduled for seven). SS Dauris Holguin singled in the winning run in the first game against Tennessee Wesleyan. Johnny Shuttlesworth and Dustin Spruiell combined for the shutout in the second game, held the Bulldogs to three hits. Julian Esquibel got the win in the first game against Lindsey Wilson. They nearly made it four straight; Lindsey Wilson got an unearned run in the seventh inning to send it into extra innings, then got three runs in the tenth to win it.
The Bulldogs got another loss against #18 Auburn-Montgomery, 5-4, before getting their first win of the season against the Warhawks 12-3. 3B Jake Stone hit a double and a home run in the win.
The Bulldogs open their home schedule against West Virginia Tech February 9-10. The Eagles host Talladega February 5, Shawnee State February 9, and U. of the Cumberlands February 10.
NAIA coaches' poll for April 5, 2016, with Boyd Nation's ISR. Recaps below.
RANK |
ISR |
PRVS |
SCHOOL |
RECORD |
TOTAL |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Georgia Gwinnett |
38-1 |
498 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
Lewis-Clark State (ID) |
30-5 |
481 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
Bellevue (NE) |
27-5 |
458 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
Faulkner (AL) |
30-9 |
446 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
USC Beaufort (SC) |
31-5 |
429 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
Auburn Montgomery (AL) |
29-9 |
418 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
Westmont (CA) |
27-7 |
407 |
8 |
3 |
9 |
Tennessee Wesleyan |
25-9 |
374 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
Missouri Baptist |
29-6 |
373 |
10 |
17 |
8 |
Jamestown (ND) |
34-2 |
372 |
11 |
25 |
11 |
Tabor (KS) |
28-11 |
312 |
12 |
36 |
13 |
Oklahoma City |
28-11 |
295 |
13 |
16 |
15 |
Vanguard (CA) |
26-9-1 |
293 |
14 |
37 |
17 |
Freed-Hardeman (TN) |
27-9 |
275 |
15 |
10 |
20 |
Bryan (TN) |
28-9 |
271 |
16 |
29 |
14 |
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) |
24-7 |
267 |
17 |
12 |
18 |
Middle Georgia State |
29-11 |
260 |
18 |
28 |
16 |
York (NE) |
26-9 |
235 |
19 |
7 |
19 |
Keiser (FL) |
27-11 |
220 |
20 |
20 |
22 |
Davenport (MI) |
22-7 |
189 |
21 |
26 |
RV |
Campbellsville (KY.) |
22-11 |
162 |
22 |
38 |
25 |
Wayland Baptist (TX) |
32-9 |
154 |
23 |
31 |
21 |
Sterling (KS) |
26-11 |
135 |
24 |
15 |
10 |
Lindsey Wilson (KY) |
26-14 |
127 |
25 |
13 |
24 |
St. Thomas (FL) |
25-13 |
98 |
|
14 |
|
William Carey (MS) |
25-11 |
|
|
18 |
|
Menlo (CA) |
25-14 |
|
|
19 |
|
Madonna (MI) |
17-13 |
|
|
21 |
|
Science and Arts of Oklahoma |
25-10 |
|
|
22 |
23 |
Indiana Tech |
20-5 |
|
|
23 |
|
Southeastern (FL) |
25-15 |
|
|
24 |
|
The Master's (CA) |
24-12 |
|
NAIA coaches' poll for March 24, 2015, with Boyd Nation's ISR. Recaps below.
RANK |
ISR |
PRVS |
SCHOOL |
2015 |
TOTAL |
1 |
9 |
1 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
28-0 |
591 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
Faulkner (AL) |
29-5 |
556 |
3 |
11 |
3 |
Missouri Baptist |
22-2 |
555 |
4 |
15 |
4 |
Tabor (KS) |
28-3 |
542 |
5 |
42 |
5 |
Georgia Gwinnett |
27-5 |
512 |
6 |
1 |
8 |
Davenport (MI) |
20-2 |
484 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
Northwood (FL) |
28-7 |
480 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
The Master's (CA) |
27-7 |
474 |
9 |
35 |
10 |
LSU Shreveport (LA) |
19-5 |
430 |
10 |
29 |
11 |
Oklahoma Wesleyan |
23-6 |
428 |
11 |
31 |
T13 |
Oklahoma City |
25-6 |
378 |
12 |
10 |
T13 |
Westmont (CA) |
25-8 |
364 |
13 |
7 |
16 |
Tennessee Wesleyan |
20-7 |
356 |
14 |
2 |
9 |
Lewis-Clark State (ID) |
19-7 |
348 |
15 |
13 |
12 |
Bellevue (NE) |
22-6 |
336 |
16 |
16 |
19 |
Auburn Montgomery (AL) |
22-9 |
321 |
17 |
8 |
18 |
Concordia-Irvine (CA) |
26-9 |
280 |
18 |
14 |
RV |
Embry-Riddle (FL) |
21-12 |
231 |
19 |
5 |
RV |
Campbellsville (KY) |
13-4 |
224 |
20 |
19 |
17 |
St. Thomas (FL) |
23-8 |
199 |
21 |
40 |
15 |
Sterling (KS) |
23-8 |
196 |
22 |
36 |
25 |
Mobile (AL) |
20-8 |
184 |
23 |
30 |
24 |
Point Park (PA) |
15-4 |
179 |
24 |
43 |
RV |
Union (KY) |
18-5 |
135 |
25 |
22 |
RV |
Northwestern Ohio |
18-6 |
122 |
|
12 |
20 |
British Columbia |
15-8 |
|
|
17 |
|
Concordia-Portland (OR) |
12-16 |
|
|
18 |
|
Bryan (TN) |
26-8 |
|
|
20 |
|
Lindsey Wilson (KY) |
17-12 |
|
|
21 |
|
Judson (IL) |
17-5 |
|
|
23 |
|
Madonna (MI) |
20-7 |
|
|
24 |
|
Vanguard (CA) |
25-12 |
|
|
25 |
|
York (NE) |
20-10 |
|
The NAIA Coaches' poll for May 1, 2012, with Boyd Nation's Iterative Strength Rating (ISR):
RANK |
ISR |
LAST |
SCHOOL |
2012 |
TOTAL |
1 |
3 |
1 |
LSU-Shreveport |
46-4 |
559 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
Oklahoma City |
41-8 |
527 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
Faulkner (AL) |
47-10 |
521 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
Azusa Pacific (CA) |
41-9 |
514 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
Lee (TN) |
49-8-1 |
495 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
Embry-Riddle (FL) |
38-14 |
458 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Tennessee Wesleyan |
41-11 |
449 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
42-12 |
422 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
Lewis-Clark State (ID) |
39-11 |
404 |
10 |
22 |
10 |
Point Park (PA) |
44-7 |
396 |
11 |
4 |
11 |
Concordia-Irvine (CA) |
33-16 |
387 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
Lindsey Wilson (KY) |
41-14 |
350 |
13 |
17 |
15 |
South Carolina-Beaufort |
35-14 |
343 |
14 |
11 |
14 |
Georgetown C. (KY) |
45-9 |
331 |
15 |
16 |
12 |
St. Thomas (FL) |
39-12 |
293 |
16 |
40 |
17 |
Judson (IL) |
44-10 |
271 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
Auburn Montgomery (AL) |
36-22 |
263 |
18 |
21 |
25 |
Rogers State (OK) |
41-12 |
247 |
19 |
50 |
19 |
Freed-Hardeman (TN) |
39-19 |
209 |
20 |
19 |
20 |
Shorter (GAA) |
37-16 |
194 |
21 |
24 |
23 |
Indiana Tech |
37-18 |
175 |
22 |
37 |
24 |
Taylor (IN) |
34-16 |
151 |
23 |
20 |
RV |
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) |
38-12 |
134 |
24 |
39 |
18 |
Lubbock Christian (TX) |
30-19 |
127 |
25 |
48 |
RV |
Bellevue (NE) |
37-17 |
116 |
|
12 |
|
The Master's (CA) |
33-19 |
|
|
15 |
|
Cal State-San Marcos |
27-20 |
|
|
18 |
|
Biola (CA) |
25-25 |
|
|
23 |
|
Vanguard (CA) |
23-21 |
|
|
25 |
|
Campbellsville (KY) |
36-16 |
|
First place votes: LSU-Shreveport 18, Azusa Pacific 2
Azusa Pacific is #1 in Strength of Schedule
LSU-Shreveport won the Red River Athletic Conference championship, defeating Bacone5-2 in the final. This was the only game of the tournament that was close. CF Ridge Gonsoulin went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the final; Drew Middleton got the win.
Oklahoma Cityswept three games against Wayland Baptist, 5-4, 7-0, and 22-6, and won the Sooner Athletic Conference pennant. 1B Miguel Beltran hit a three-RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to win the first game. Blake Schwartz pitched a complete-game two-hitter in the second game, struck out ten. Beltran hit two home runs in the third game, to bring his season total to 22, tied for most in the NAIA. They finished their regular season with a 8-4 win over Division II Central Oklahoma. RF Chad Carman went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, and three RBI. The Stars are hosting the SAC tournament, and are scheduled to play Southern NazareneMay 2, Northwestern Oklahoma Stateon May 3, and #24 Lubbock Christian on May 4.
Faulkner was defeated by #5 Lee13-0 in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament, and because the Eagles lost an earlier game in the tournament, 12-9 to Shorter,the loss took the Flames out of the tournament. The loss to Shorter forced the Eagles to deplete their pitching staff, and they had to move position players to the mound for the last two innings of the game against Lee. This was the only meeting of the Eagles and Flames this season.
Azusa Pacificwon three of four against Point Loma Nazarene. They lost the first game 6-5 when Matt Winkler balked in a run in the bottom of the 13th inning. Garrett Gooding, who pitched 5 1/3 relief innings for the Sea Lions, allowed four hits, struck out five, got the win. The Cougars won the remaining three games 3-1, 7-3, and 4-2. Jacob Cage got the in in the first game, went six innings, allowed zero earned runs on five hits. RF Brent Warren batted in two of the Cougars' runs, including a bunt single that sent in the winning run. DH Trevor Lothrup hit a grand slam home run to win the second game. 3B Brendan Casey scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the third game; J.C. Aguayo scattered seven hits for the win. The Cougars were upset by Westmont12-5 in the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament. 3B David Gabel went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double for the Warriors, batted in four runs. Timothy Leary went eight innings, got the win. This was Westmont's first post-season game in 15 years. The Cougars will play Fresno Pacificon May 2.
The NAIA Coaches' poll for May 5, with Boyd Nation's ISR ranking. Recap below.
RANK |
ISR |
LAST |
SCHOOL |
RECORD |
TOTAL |
1 |
7 |
2 |
Faulkner (AL) |
47-10 |
581 |
2 |
10 |
1 |
Oklahoma City |
47-10 |
580 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
Lee (TN) |
46-10 |
547 |
4 |
28 |
5 |
Lubbock Christian (TX) |
42-15 |
525 |
5 |
11 |
6 |
Embry-Riddle (FL) |
45-13 |
505 |
6 |
16 |
4 |
Northwood (TX) |
39-11 |
501 |
7 |
1 |
7 |
The Master’s (CA) |
40-15 |
489 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
Tennessee Wesleyan |
43-16 |
454 |
9 |
21 |
11 |
York (NE) |
41-10 |
434 |
10 |
2 |
10 |
Lewis-Clark State (ID) |
38-13 |
415 |
T11 |
3 |
12 |
Cal State San Marcos |
35-10 |
388 |
T11 |
24 |
9 |
Bellevue (NE) |
44-8-1 |
388 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
Cumberland (TN) |
39-17-1 |
343 |
14 |
31 |
15 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
41-17 |
323 |
15 |
40 |
18 |
Sterling (KS) |
45-12 |
302 |
16 |
27 |
17 |
Texas Wesleyan |
40-16 |
298 |
17 |
5 |
14 |
Concordia-Irvine (CA) |
34-19 |
286 |
18 |
22 |
19 |
Madonna (MI) |
36-9 |
232 |
19 |
51 |
21 |
Point Park (PA) |
39-14 |
228 |
20 |
32 |
16 |
Missouri Baptist |
31-11 |
220 |
21 |
19 |
20 |
Georgetown (KY) |
35-17 |
196 |
22 |
14 |
23 |
Lindsey Wilson (KY) |
42-18 |
166 |
23 |
29 |
25 |
Science & Arts (OK) |
40-17 |
149 |
24 |
26 |
RV |
LSU Shreveport |
40-16 |
147 |
25 |
20 |
24 |
William Carey (MS) |
35-21 |
143 |
|
4 |
|
San Diego Christian (CA) |
37-18 |
|
|
8 |
|
Arizona Christian |
28-23 |
|
|
9 |
|
Menlo (CA) |
33-19 |
|
|
15 |
|
Westmont (CA) |
24-26 |
|
|
17 |
|
Vanguard (CA) |
22-27 |
|
|
18 |
|
British Columbia |
26-18 |
|
|
23 |
|
Southern Polytechnic (GA) |
39-18 |
|
|
25 |
|
Biola (CA) |
25-26 |
|