TWU, Reinhardt Punch Tickets to NAIA World Series; Milligan Advances to NAIA Opening Round Finals
WALESKA, Ga. - So far, so good.
It has been a very successful postseason for Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) baseball teams as all three who qualified for the NAIA Opening Round advanced to their respective finals and two punched their tickets to the NAIA World Series.
Reinhardt won the NAIA Opening Round - Waleska Bracket, while Tennessee Wesleyan won the NAIA Opening Round - Kingsport Bracket. Meanwhile, Milligan battled its way to the NAIA Opening Round - Hattiesburg Bracket before falling to William Carey (Miss.).
This marks the second time in conference history two AAC teams advanced to the NAIA World Series. In 2016, Tennessee Wesleyan and former full member Point made their way to Lewiston, Idaho.
The NAIA World Series gets underway on Friday, May 24. The 10-team bracket will be unveiled once all of the opening rounds are complete.
HATTIESBURG BRACKET RECAP
Milligan went 2-2 in the NAIA Opening Round - Hattiesburg Bracket, picking up both wins over No. 1 seed Mid-America Christian (Okla.).
The Buffaloes opened the tournament with a 4-2 win over Mid-America Christian. Milligan took the early lead with a three-run second as all three runs scored thanks to bases-loaded walks. Ryan Molinari provided an insurance run in the eighth with a solo home run.
Milligan then hit a rough patch as host and No. 2 seed William Carey (Miss.) scored early and often on its way to the 25-4 decision.
In a rematch with Mid-America Christian, Milligan trailed 7-6 going into the bottom of the ninth. However, solo home runs from Jose Paula and Vasili Kaloudis gave the Buffaloes the win and kept their hopes alive.
In the finals, Milligan overcame a 2-0 deficit and tied the game at 2-all in the top of the sixth. Yet, William Carey scored once in the bottom of the inning before rallying for eight in the seventh inning on its way to the 11-4 outcome.
Milligan finished the season with a 35-22 overall record.
KINGSPORT BRACKET
Tennessee Wesleyan went 3-0 to win the bracket, but it was not without drama.
The Bulldogs won its first game over No. 3 seed Columbia (Mo.) 2-0 with a Kruise Newman two-run home run. Tennessee Wesleyan followed that with a 6-2 win over top-seeded Webber (Fla.).
Tennessee Wesleyan met up with Columbia again in the finals, and things looked bleak as the Cougars led 8-4 after seven innings of play. Tennessee Wesleyan, though, battled back, scoring three in the eighth and two in the ninth to pull out the 9-8 victory to win the bracket and advance to the NAIA World Series.
Daniel Stewart drove in three runs in the finale for the Bulldogs.
Tennessee is 40-16 overall as it prepares for the trip to Lewiston.
WALESKA BRACKET
Reinhardt went 3-0 to win the bracket, and it brought out the offense to get it done as the Eagles scored 36 runs in the three games.
In the opener, Reinhardt built a 5-0 lead but had to fend off Keiser (Fla.) as it scored twice in the seventh and eighth to make it a 5-4 contest. Jarrett Burney added a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth for insurance as Brett Allen locked down the save.
Reinhardt used a pair of big innings to take control as it defeated Point Park (Pa.) 15-7. The Eagles scored six in the fifth and added a five-run seventh. Nash Crowell, Tucker Zdunich, and Dylan Lewis each homered in the game.
In the finale, Reinhardt met up with Keiser once more and had to rally to get the win. Keiser scored six in the fifth to take a 7-4 lead. Reinhardt answered with two in the bottom of the fifth before tying the game in the sixth. Keiser took an 8-7 lead in the top of the seventh, but Reinhardt answered with six in the bottom of the frame for a 13-8 advantage. The Eagles added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth in securing the 15-8 victory. Burney drove in six runs in the win, while Lance Dockery added three RBI. Lewis finished 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Reinhardt enters the NAIA World Series with a 41-16 overall record.