TWU Advances to NAIA World Series Title Game; Finishes as Runner-Up

LEWISTON, Idaho - Tennessee Wesleyan concluded the season in the 2024 NAIA Baseball World Series title game, finishing as the national runner-up.

The World Series was held May 24-31 in Lewiston, Idaho.

The Bulldogs went 4-2 in the World Series, finishing the season 44-18 overall. Tennessee Wesleyan also won the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament.

GAME 1 - TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 7, CUMBERLANDS 4

Tennessee Wesleyan used a late rally to score a tournament-opening win over No. 3 seed Cumberlands (Ky.).

Tied at 4-all, Cayle Webster broke the deadlock with a two-run double in the eighth before scoring on a Kruise Newman single for a 7-4 advantage.

Gage Vailes picked up the win, tossing 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball to close out the game, allowing one hit and three walks with two strikeouts.

GAME 2 - GEORGIA GWINNETT 12, TENNESSEE WESELEYN 6

The game started well for Tennessee Wesleyan, but Georgia Gwinnett scored nine runs during the final three innings to pick up the win.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first thanks to an Evan Magill two-run single, and a Daniel Stewart two-run single. However, the Grizzlies scored three in the third, four in the eighth and two in the ninth to rally for the win.

The loss sent Tennessee Wesleyan to the losers' bracket.

GAME 3 - TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 8, SOUTHEASTERN 6

Tied at 2-all, the Bulldogs scored twice in the fifth and two more in the sixth for a 6-2 cushion. However, the Fire rallied for four runs in the seventh to even the ledger at 6-all.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jack Stevens lined a two-run single to send Tennessee Wesleyan ahead for good as Tennessee Wesleyan eliminated top-seeded Southeastern.

Magill led the Bulldog attack with three RBI.

GAME 4 - TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 6, REINHARDT 2

In a battle between a pair of AAC heavyweights, Braxton Turner delivered four RBIs to keep Tennessee Wesleyan's hopes alive.

Tied at 2-all, Turner singled in a run in the fifth to give the Bulldogs the lead. Turner added a three-run double in the eighth to seal the win.

Daniel Davila picked up the win, going 8 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts.

GAME 5 - TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 3, REINHARDT 2 (11 innings)

Tennessee Wesleyan and Reinhardt met up again with the winner advancing to the championship game.

Tennessee Wesleyan played catchup all evening but finally grabbed the lead and the win in the 11th. With a runner on second and one out, Newman singled to left, and Magill raced home and slid in safely with the game-winning run.

Magill scored all three runs for the Bulldogs.

GAME 6 - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - HOPE INTERNATIONAL 14, TENNESSEE WESLEYAN 6

Tennessee Wesleyan led early on but could not maintain the lead as Hope International won the title.

The Bulldogs scored two in the first, three in the third, and one in the third for a 6-4 advantage. However, Hope International accounted for the game's next 10 runs to get the win.

Stevens homered and drove in three RBI, while Newman belted a solo home run and went 3-for-5 on the night.