British Columbia

From the second day of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in Lewiston, ID:

Southeastern 15, Webber International 2.Halted by the run rule after seven innings. These two teams played five times during the regular season (the Fire won three of them), and traveled most of the way across the continent to play each other again.

Everything went the Fire's way this time, and two Canadians in their lineup, Connor Hicks and Alfonso Villalobos, were a big part of it. Hicks got it started with an RBI double in the top of the first inning. Villalobos was next in the batting order; he hit a home run, and the Fire led 3-0. They added three runs in the third inning, one of them with Villalobos scoring on a wild pitch. In the fourth inning, Hicks got an RBI on a ground out, Villalobos hit an RBI single, and James Strom hit a two-run home run. The Fire led 11-0. John Rossi hit a two-RBI single in the sixth inning, and Hicks hit a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Reece Wissinger went the seven inning distance for the Fire, allowed one run on three hits, struck out four. Two of the strikeouts were the last two batters he faced. Wissinger also started a double play in the bottom of the third inning; he snagged a line drive, then threw to first to catch a baserunner who didn't get back fast enough.

Villalobos finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Camren Carrol went 2-for-2 for the Warriors. Blayne Huter got the loss. box score recap

U. of the Cumberlands 8, Grand View 6 (Grand View eliminated).This game was close all the way. The Patriots led 6-3 after six innings. The Patriots got two runs in the bottom of the third inning; they loaded the bases with two out, and Pedro Vasquez hit a ball that got by the third baseman. Two runs scored, but a possible third run was out at the plate. In the top of the fifth, two errors by Patriot shortstop Alec Gonzalez led to runners on first and second with one out. The Patriots got the second out on a good catch of a fly ball in foul territory on the left field side by Christian Thompson. However, Hank Himrich hit an RBI double to score two runs.

The 2011 NAIA Coaches' pre-season top 25:

First place votes: Cumberland 16, Cal Baptist 2, Lee 1, Lewis-Clark State 1

This poll represents an annual mistake by the NAIA; they take this poll much too early. With many of the top NAIA teams heavily dependent on transfers, is isn't reasonable to expect accurate predictions when the coaches don't know who they are going to have in school for the spring semester. However, this poll is out there, and is open for comments.

The 55^th NAIA baseball season started yesterday, with Wayland Baptist splitting a double-header at Arizona Christian. On Tuesday, Simpson visits Azusa Pacific and La Sierra is at Vanguard. On Wednesday, Webber International is at Warner. On Thursday, Simpson visits Cal Baptist. On Friday, it's Vanguard at Cal State San Marcos, Northwood (TX) at Houston-Victoria, Patten at The Master's, Brewton-Parker at Edward Waters, and U. of Science and Arts of Oklahoma at Texas College. On Saturday, Brescia visits Loyola-New Orleans. On Saturday and Sunday, Auburn-Montgomery hosts a six-team event; LSU-Shreveport plays Savannah College of Art and Design and Faulkner, and Auburn-Montgomery plays Milligan and Lindenwood on Saturday. On Sunday, Auburn-Montgomery plays LSU-Shreveport and SCAD, LSU-Shreveport plays Milligan, and SCAD plays Lindenwood.

Here is an evaluation of the top 10 teams according to the pre-season coaches' poll:

#1 – Cumberland:The defending champions had major graduation losses. However, RHP Aaron Wilkerson, who got 14 wins for the Bulldogs last year, is returning, as well as two key position players, 1B Greg Appleton (.361, 17 home runs) and C David Fanshawe (.342). The Bulldogs have added an impressive group of Division I transfers: LHP Will Locante (Tennessee), IF Tommy Winegardner (Coastal Carolina), and OF Cory Farris (Kentucky). They have a fighting chance at repeating as national champions. Games to watch: at Belhaven Feb. 19, at LSU-Shreveport March 9, Embry-Riddle March 21-22, Union U. (TN) April 1-2, at Lee April 19

#1 Georgia Gwinnettswept through the Association of Independent Institutions tournament, defeating Fisher13-3, Mount Mercy9-1, and Clarke6-3 and 14-1. In the first game against Clarke, CF Josh Merrigan hit an RBI single for the winning run. RHP Nikolay Uherek got the win, pitched seven innings, allowed two earned runs on nine hits, struck out six. Story

Zac Rinehart is second in the NAIA in hitting with a .476 average. The Grizzlies are hosting an Opening Round bracket May 17-20. video

#2 Bellevue won the North Star Athletic Association tournament. They hit eight home runs in the final against Mayville State, and won 14-1. LF Joe Moran hit two of the home runs. RHP Ben McKendall had a shutout going into the eighth inning before giving up a home run by LF Aaron Miller. The Comets had to play an "if necessary" game to get to the final, and ran out of pitchers in the seventh inning, when the Bruins scored ten runs. Story None of the games the Bruins played in the tournament were close. RHP Todd Nicks and RHP John Timmins combined for an 11-0 shutout over Waldorf; Nicks struck out 14. Story

McKendall is now 11-1, 1.53 ERA (ninth-best in the NAIA), with 111 strikeouts (tied for sixth-best in the NAIA). The Bruins now wait to learn their Opening Round location.

#3 Lewis-Clark Statewon the NAIA West tournament, without giving up a single run. The defending champions defeated Corban7-0, British Columbia3-0, and C. of Idaho5-0. RHP Kevin Hamann, RHP Noel Gonzalez (in relief), and RHP Connor Brogdon got the wins; Hamann went the distance. The game against British Columbia was probably the best of the three. It was scoreless until the eight inning, and a good pitching duel between RHP Curtis Taylor of the Thunderbirds (6 IP, 4 hits, 10 strikeouts, no walks) and RHP Quin Grogan of the Warriors (7 2/3 IP, 3 hits, seven strikeouts, three walks). The Warriors got the only run they needed on an RBI double by CF Logan Griffin, off reliever RHP Christian Botnick. LF Jacob Zanon completed the scoring with a solo home run. Story 1B Tyler McDowell went 4-for-4 with two triples and a stolen base in the game against C. of Idaho. Story

The Warriors are idle until the Baseball National Championship tournament May 27-June 3. Both the Thunderbirds (ISR #9, #1in strength of schedule) and C. of Idaho (ISR #12) will be playing in the Opening Round.

Players from NAIA schools taken in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft:

The headliners are DH Keivan Berges of Keiser (Formerly Northwood FL) and LHP Adam Hines of LSU-Shreveport. Berges batted .333 with 156 home runs last season. Hines had an ERA of 0.96, and pitched seven complete games, including four straight. OF Colton Nash of Bellevue batted .352, hit grand slam home runs in three consecutive games. RHP Curtis Taylor of British Columbia had an ERA of 1.02. SS Cabe Reiten of Lewis-Clark State batted .411, started all 58 games.

Players from NAIA schools taken in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft:

Players from NAIA schools taken in the 2025 Major League Baseball draft:

OF Bryan Abrey of Lewis-Clark State is the batting champion of the Western Major Baseball League. He batted .423 for the Medicine Hat Mavericks, and went on a 21-35 tear at the end of the regular season, and is 5-7 with a home run so far in the playoffs.

Ryan Rogers of Lindsey Wilson made the all-star team as a left-handed pitcher. He plays for the Okotoks Dawgs, went 4-4, 2.16 ERA, and 61 strikeouts. In his first playoff start, he allowed six hits, struck out six.

Nick Senior of British Columbia made the all-star team as an outfielder. Playing for the Melville Millionaires, he batted .327, with 35 RBI and three home runs. He batted .417 in three playoff games.

Okotoks and Medicine Hat are still alive in the WMBL playoffs.

Other players honored:

Most Valuable Player: IF Jesse Sawyer, South Dakota State
Top Pitcher: RHP Chad Jones, George Fox
Rookie of the Year and Outstanding Canadian: OF Tyler Hollick, Chandler Gilbert CC
Left-handed pitcher: Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga
Right-handed pitcher: N.D. Gonzalez
Catcher/designated hitter: C.J. DeDeaux, Merced College
Infielders: Jess Cooper, West Texas A&M, Joel Lutz, Muscatine CC, Mitch McDonald, Monterey Peninsula

British Columbia swept a doubleheader vs. Bushnell before a good crowd on a nice day at Tourmaline West Stadium on the UBC campus on April 12, 2025.

British Columbia 10, Bushnell 9at Vancouver, BC. In a back-and-forth game, the Beacons took a 9-8 lead in the top of the eighth with a two-RBI double by Will Hudler. However, Thunderbird reliever Evan Hoegler retired the Beacons in order in the top of the ninth. Kaden Zarowny opened the bottom of the ninth with a double. The Thunderbirds sent in Hilo Yamamoto to pinch-hit, and he bunted Zarowny to third base. Jonny McGill hit a double to score Zarowny and tie the game. The next batter was Trent Lenihan, and he hit a single to score McGill and win it.

Austin Wolfe started for the Beacons, and held the Thunderbirds hitless for three innings. The Beacons got on the board in the top of the second inning with a two-RBI single by Reece Carganilla. In the top of the fourth, courtesy runner Caleb Richter tried to go home on a single by Carganilla, and was gunned down with a throw from Middlemiss in right field to Aidan Rose at second base to catcher Russell Young. The Thunderbirds took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single by Trent Lenihan and a two-run home run by Mitchell Middlemiss. They added three more runs in the fifth with a home run by Kaden Zarowny and a two-run home run by Jonny McGill. In the top of the sixth, Richter was caught stealing with a throw from Young to second base.

British Columbia completed a four-game sweep of Bushnell at Tourmaline West Stadium on the UBC campus on April 13, 2025.

British Columbia7, Bushnell1at Vancouver, BC. Ryan Beitel pitched eight innings, and allowed only two hits, one of them a home run by Jordan Wilson in the fourth inning. Beitel threw 103 pitches, struck out ten, didn't walk a batter, hit one.

Beacon starter Max Chapman hit the first two batters he faced. The next batter, Trent Lenihan, hit into a double play. The Thunderbirds proceeded to score three runs with two out, on RBI singles by Mitchell Middlemiss and Kellen Bourne, and Middlemiss scored on a failed pickoff attempt. The Thunderbirds scored with an RBI triple by Jonny McGill in the second inning, an RBI double by Aidan Rose in the third inning, an RBI single by Rose in the fifth inning, and an RBI double by Russell Young in the eighth inning.

Lucas Huynh pitched the ninth inning for the Thunderbirds, allowed two hits, struck out two. Chapman got the loss. Loreto Siniscalchi (Burnaby, BC) pitched the sixth through eighth innings for the Beacons, allowed one run (unearned) on one hit, struck out one. Bourne finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Wilson got two of the Beacons' four hits. box score

While the Cardinals and Rangers were taking the night of October 26 off, Canada defeated the USA 2-1 in the final of the Pan American Games in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico.

You can be excused for not being especially excited about this news, but for Canada's national baseball program and Coach Ernie Whitt, it's a huge win; this was Canada's first-ever gold medal in senior international competition.

The Canadian roster included four players who played baseball at NAIA schools: RHP Jimmy Henderson (Tennessee Wesleyan), LHP Mark Hardy (British Columbia), RHP Chris Kissock (Lewis-Clark State), and DH Emerson Frostad (Lewis-Clark State).

Henderson played for the 2003 Bulldog team that won the Appalachian Athletic Conference championship. He was drafted in the 26th round by the Nationals, and is now in the Brewers organization. Hardy was drafted by the Padres in the 43rd round in 2010. Kissock played for L-C State's national championship teams in 2006 and 2007, and was drafted by the Phillies in the 9th round in 2007. Frostad, a national team veteran (he played in the 2008 Olympics), was drafted in the 13th round by the Rangers, and is currently in the Astros organization. He played for L-C State's national championship teams in 2002 and 2003.

Hardy, Henderson, and Frostad played minor roles during the tournament. Hardy pitched three innings, allowed three hits and a run. Henderson pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowed three hits. Frostad played in one game, went hitless in four at-bats.

Kissock was a different story. He pitched four shutout innings (two hits allowed, struck out three). Two of the innings came in a key win against Venezuela. The other two came in the semifinal against Mexico, and he got the save.

Story and film highlights from ESPN

Canada won its second straight gold medal in baseball in the 2015 Pan American Games, played in Ajax, Ontario.

In both 2011 and 2015, alumni of NAIA schools played a key role in Canada's win. The 2011 team had four players who played at NAIA schools, and RHP Chris Kissock of Lewis-Clark State played a key role for that team (story).

The 2015 edition included two NAIA alumni, LHP Jeff Francis of British Columbia and RHP Jared Mortensen of LSU-Shreveport. Francis got two saves during the preliminary round, retired all six batters he faced, struck out two of them. He was called upon to start the gold medal game against the USA. He went seven innings, allowed four runs (two of them on a home run by DH Patrick Kivlehan [Mariners organization, Rutgers]) on eight hits, struck out seven, and walked one. He got a no-decision; the game was tied 4-4 when he left it. Canada ultimately won the game 7-6 in ten innings; the tying and winning runs came on a bad pickoff attempt followed by a throwing error.

The first day of the Cascade Collegiate Conference 2025 tournament at Tourmaline West Stadium on the University of British Columbia campus.

#5 seed College of Idaho 8, #4 Bushnell 3.Oliver Massie started for the Coyotes, pitched seven innings, allowed two runs (only one of them earned) on three hits, struck out seven, didn't walk a batter, threw 103 pitches. The Coyotes scored three runs in the top of the first inning on a two-RBI single by Connor Olson and a sacrifice fly by Trevor Watkins. They got the winning run in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Jack Ingraham. They added an RBI single by Cannon Morgan in the top of the fourth. The Beacons ended the shutout in the bottom o the fifth with a two-RBI double by Reece Carganilla that was set up by z hit batter and an error. They didn't score again until the eighth inning, on a sacrifice by by Jordan Wilson.

Ben Gaff finished 4-for-5 with three doubles, an RBI, and three runs scored. Braden Proud, the starter for the Beacons, lasted only two innings, allowed four runs on five hits, got the loss. box score

The second day of the Cascade Collegiate Conference 2025 tournament at Tourmaline West Stadium on the University of British Columbia campus.

#3 seed Oregon Tech 6, #4 Bushnell 5 (Bushnell eliminated). Logan Macy hit his first home run of the season, and it was a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning for the winning run.

Bronson Chapple nearly went the distance for the Hustlin' Owls. He struck out the first batter he faced in the ninth inning. However, he hit the next one. The Beacons sent in Chase Nye to pinch hit, and he hit a single. Chapple walked the next batter, and the Beacons had the tying run at first base. Chapple was relieved by Riley Cronin, and he was met by another pinch hitter, Kolby Amaral. Amaral hit a single, and the Owls' lead was cut to 6-4. The next batter, Jordan Wilson, hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 6-5, but it was also the second out of the inning. The next batter, Albert Jennings, hit a ground ball to first base, and it was the final out.

The Beacons got on the board in the top of the first inning. They got runners on first and third as a result of two errors, and Jennings hit a sacrifice fly. They missed a chance to score another run in the top of the second. Cade Crist hit a single, and went to second on a wild pitch. He attempted to go home on a single by Chase Nye, and was out at the plate, ending the inning.

The Owls got on the board in the bottom of the second. Keanu Mizuta reached second on a bad throw to first, and was bunted over to third. He went home when Ty Blakely reached on a fielder's choice.

In the top of the fifth, Nate Stevens was out on a good play by Korrey Siracusa at second base. The Owls scored the rest of their runs in the bottom of the fifth. Korrey Siracusa hit an RBI double, and a hit batter loaded the bases for Macy's grand slam. The Beacons got back in it with a two-run home run by Will Hudler.

Chapple's numbers were 8 1/3 innings pitched, four earned runs on six hits, ten strikeouts, two walks, two hit batters, 135 pitches thrown. Beacon starter Kai Keamo got the loss. He pitched five innings, allowed five earned runs on six hits, struck out seven. Tyler Biddinger went the rest of the way for the Beacons, held the Owls to only one hit. Patrick Barry was the only Owl with two hits. None of the Beacons had more than one hit. box score

The third day of the Cascade Collegiate Conference 2025 tournament at Tourmaline West Stadium on the University of British Columbia campus. Lewis-Clark State won the championship.

#1 seed British Columbia 9,#3 Oregon Tech6 (Oregon Tech eliminated).The Thunderbirds led 5-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Hustlin' Owls opened the inning by sending in Jacob Cook to pinch hit, and he was walked by Thunderbird starter Daniel Orfaly. Orfaly struck out the next batter, then walked Korrey Siracusa. He was relieved by James Brock. Brock hit Patrick Barry to load the bases. Tyler Horner then hit a two-RBI single. Julien Jones was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, and Logan Macy drew a walk to tie the game 5-5. It was one out, and the bases were loaded. Brock proceeded to strike out Keanu Mizuta and Ka'ala Tam to get out of the inning.

David Krahn opened the top of the eighth with a home run. The Owls brought in Kaden Melzer to pitch, and he hit Kyle Yip. Yip moved to second on a wild pitch, and to third on a ground out by Russell Young. He then scored the winning run on a failed pickoff attempt. Trent Lenihan then hit a ball to right field that was misplayed, and two runs scored to put the Thunderbirds ahead 9-5.

Barry made a good play at shortstop in the top of the ninth. Julien Jones hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth to make it 9-6, but Brock got a strikeout, a ground out , and another strikeout to end the game.

In everyconference listed here (except the the Southern States Athletic Conference, which had a winner-take-all final), the title was decided by an “if necessary” game. ISR's mentioned here are as of May 6.

Cal State San Marcos(ISR #13) won the Association of Independent Institutions championship for the third time in five years. They lost the first “final” to #1 Georgia Gwinnett 2-1. The Grizzlies out-hit the Cougars 11-5, and SS Ernesto Vasquez hit an RBI single for the winning run. CSUSM won the deciding game 11-5. The Cougars got five runs in the first inning, and added four more in the second. LF Clinton Perez hit an RBI single for the winning run. Emilio Esquibel got his second win of the tournament, and ran his record to 12-1, 2.43 ERA. Story Georgia Gwinnett will host an Opening Round bracket.

#2 Oklahoma Citywon the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament, defeating #3 Oklahoma Baptisttwice, 9-6 and 7-5. The Stars trailed in the late innings of both games. They scored four runs in the eighth inning of the first one. In the second one, C Connor Lynch hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth. Story Both Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Baptist are hosting Opening Round brackets.

#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.

Results from the TranSouth Conferencetournament in Jackson, TN:

#4 Cumberlanddefeated Freed-Hardeman9-3, eliminating Freed-Hardeman. Aaron Wilkerson got his 12th win of the season, went six innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, struck out seven, threw 114 pitches. Daniel Kern got a save; he retired all nine batters he faced, struck out two. SS Tommy Winegardner hit a three-run home run.

Union U. (TN)defeated Bethel (TN)10-5.

Martin Methodistdefeated #22 Trevecca Nazarene 4-3, in ten innings. CF Tony Allen singled in the winning run; he went 3-4 for the game. Both starters went the distance; Travis Garcia got the win, allowed five hits, struck out ten, threw 134 pitches. P.J. Francescon got the loss, allowed eight hits, struck out 14, threw 140 pitches.

#1 Embry-Riddle won their third straight The Sun Conferencetournament, defeating Saint Thomas 10-2. The Eagles got all the runs they needed in the third inning. SS Jordan Romero scored on a throwing error, 3B Steve Sabins hit an RBI double, and 1B Ben Kline hit a single to score Sabins. Daniel Eaton got the win, went eight innings, scattered nine hits. Kline was 10-19 for the tournament, with two home runs and ten RBI.

Concordia-Irvine(ISR #24) won their first-ever Golden State Athletic Conferencetitle, defeating Biola14-4. Concordia out-hit Biola by only 13-11, but Concordia got it started with four runs in the second inning; a two-RBI by 2B Robbie Knowles, a sacrifice fly by SS Edgar Guillen, and an RBI single by CF Matt Ivanoff. They got the winning run an inning later, when courtesy runner Sean Costella scored when 3B Danny Casey was hit by a pitch. Costella scored two more runs in the game, including a acrobatic move to avoid a tag coming home on a double by DH Bryan Nicholson. Story (with video) from Concordia-Irvine site.