2021 NAIA baseball tournament

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2021 NAIA
baseball tournament
Teams46
Finals site
ChampionsGeorgia Gwinnett (1st title)
Winning coachJeremy Sheetinger
MVPHunter Dollander (Georgia Gwinnett)
  • ← 2019
  • NAIA baseball tournament
  • 2022 →

The 2021 NAIA baseball tournament was the 64th edition of the NAIA baseball championship. The 46-team tournament began on May 17 with Opening Round games across nine different sites and concluded with the 2021 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho that began on May 28 and ended on June 3. Georgia Gwinnett defeated Central Methodist (MO) 8–4 in the championship game for their first title in program history. This was the most recent championship game(s) in which both teams would be vying for their first national title.

The 46 participating teams were selected from all eligible NAIA teams with the World Series host receiving an automatic bid to the NAIA World Series. The remaining 45 teams participated in the Opening Round with 30 teams being awarded automatic bids as either champions and/or runners-up of their conferences, and 15 teams were selected at-large by the National Selection Committee. Teams were then placed into one of nine pre-determined Opening Round sites of five teams a piece, each of which is conducted via a double-elimination tournament. The winners of each of the Opening Round sites plus the World Series host team participated in the NAIA World Series.

This would be the final year in which the team hosting the NAIA World Series would bypass the Opening Round and directly receive an automatic bid to the World Series.

Tournament procedure[edit]

A total of 46 teams entered the tournament. As World Series host, Lewis–Clark State received an automatic bid into the NAIA World Series. 30 automatic bids were determined by either winning their conference's regular season championship, conference tournament, and/or conference tournament runner-up. The other 15 bids were at-large, with selections determined by the NAIA Baseball National Selection Committee.

Opening round hosts[edit]

On May 3, the NAIA announced the nine opening round host sites, which are being played from May 17–20.[1]

Venue(s) Location(s) Host(s)
Brown Park
Don Roddy Field		 Omaha, NE
Bellevue, NE		 Bellevue University
CarShield Field O'Fallon, MO Central Methodist University
Doyle Buhl Stadium Williamsburg, KY University of the Cumberlands
Harrison Field Montgomery, AL Faulkner University
Wildcat Field Marion, IN Indiana Wesleyan University
Segnette Field Westwego, LA Loyola University New Orleans
Chain of Lakes Park Winter Haven, FL Southeastern University
Hunter Wright Stadium Kingsport, TN Visit Kingsport
Appalachian Athletic Conference
Russell Carr Field Santa Barbara, CA Westmont College

Bids[edit]

Automatic[edit]

School Conference Record Berth Last NAIA Appearance
Bryan (TN) Appalachian 35–16 Pool B champion 2019 (Miami Gardens Bracket)
Central Methodist (MO) Heart 42–6 Tournament champion 2019 (Montgomery Bracket)
Columbia (MO) American Midwest 36–9 Tournament champion 2019 (Shreveport Bracket)
Concordia (NE) Great Plains 38–9 Regular season champion 2019 (Henderson Bracket)
Corban (OR) Cascade 22–29 Tournament runner-up First appearance
Cumberlands (KY) Mid-South 46–6 Tournament champion 2019 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Doane (NE) Great Plains 35–17–1 Regular season runner-up 2014 (Hutchinson Bracket)
Fisher (MA) A.I.I. 31–20 Tournament runner-up First appearance
Freed–Hardeman (TN) Mid-South 26–23 Tournament runner-up 2019 NAIA World Series
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I. 42–9 Tournament champion 2019 NAIA World Series
Indiana Tech Wolverine-Hoosier 31–25 Regular season champion 2019 NAIA World Series
Indiana Wesleyan Crossroads 43–12 Regular season champion 2018 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
IU–Southeast River States 45–14 Tournament champion 2019 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Lewis-Clark State (ID) Cascade 41–4 World Series host 2019 NAIA World Series
LSU–Shreveport Red River 40–13 Tournament champion 2019 (Shreveport Bracket)
Mayville State (ND) North Star 35–16 Tournament champion 2017 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) Heart 39–14 Tournament runner-up 2017 (Lima Bracket)
Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH) Crossroads 32–19 Tournament runner-up 2015 (Grand Rapids Bracket)
Northwestern Ohio Wolverine-Hoosier 29–17 Tournament champion 2018 NAIA World Series
Oklahoma Wesleyan Kansas 46–8 Regular season champion 2019 (Henderson Bracket)
Olivet Nazarene (IL) Chicagoland 36–18 Regular season champion 2019 (Montgomery Bracket)
Ottawa (KS) Kansas 35–18 Tournament champion First appearance
Our Lady of the Lake (TX) Red River 34–17 Regular season champion First appearance
Point Park (PA) River States 37–14 Tournament runner-up 2018 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Saint Katherine (CA) Cal Pac 29–16 Tournament champion First appearance
Saint Xavier (IL) Chicagoland 32–25 Tournament runner-up 2019 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Science & Arts (OK) Sooner 34–10 Tournament champion 2019 NAIA World Series
Southeastern (FL) The Sun 47–7 Tournament champion 2019 NAIA World Series
Tennessee Wesleyan Appalachian 51–4 Pool A champion 2019 NAIA World Series
Vanugard (CA) Golden State 37–14 Tournament champion 2016 (Faulkner Bracket)
William Carey (MS) Southern States 34–10 Tournament champion 2018 (Hattiesburg Bracket)

At–Large[edit]

School Conference Record Last NAIA Appearance
Bellevue (NE) North Star 38–16 2019 NAIA World Series
Benedictine (KS) Kansas 34–14 First appearance
Benedictine–Mesa (AZ) Cal Pac 31–14 First appearance
Faulkner (AL) Southern States 35–9 2019 NAIA World Series
Hope International (CA) Golden State 27–13 2019 (Montgomery Bracket)
Keiser (FL) The Sun 33–16 2018 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Loyola (LA) Southern States 36–13 First appearance
McPherson (KS) Kansas 36–13 First appearance
Middle Georgia State Southern States 34–19 2019 (Macon Bracket)
Oklahoma City Sooner 33–17 2019 (Shreveport Bracket)
Reinhardt (GA) Appalachian 32–19 2018 NAIA World Series
St. Thomas (FL) The Sun 33–19 2019 NAIA World Series
USC–Beaufort The Sun 31–21 2016 (Savannah Bracket)
Warner (FL) The Sun 33–21 2009 (Group 4 Bracket)
Westmont (CA) Golden State 27–18 2019 (Santa Barbara Bracket)

Opening Round[edit]

Source:[2]

Bellevue Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Bellevue (NE) at Don Roddy Field in Bellevue, NE and Brown Park in Omaha, NE

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Science & Arts (OK)2
4Bellevue (NE)84Bellevue4
5Saint Xavier (IL)34Bellevue7
3Concordia (NE)3
2MidAmerica Nazarene (KS)2
3Concordia (NE)4
4Bellevue85
3Concordia (NE)137
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
3Concordia (NE)11
1Science & Arts42MidAmerica Nazarene10
5Saint Xavier (IL)32MidAmerica Nazarene6
2MidAmerica Nazarene9

Kingsport Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Visit Kingsport/Appalachian Athletic Conference at Hunter Wright Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Tennessee Wesleyan12
4Northwestern Ohio45Mount Vernon Nazarene3
5Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH)51Tennessee Wesleyan3
2IU–Southeast4
2IU–Southeast10
3Warner (FL)9
2IU–Southeast16–
1Tennessee Wesleyan10–
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Tennessee Wesleyan5
5Mount Vernon Nazarene205Mount Vernon Nazarene3
4Northwestern Ohio74Northwestern Ohio1
3Warner3

Lakeland Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Southeastern (FL) at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, FL

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Southeastern (FL)10
4USC–Beaufort74USC–Beaufort5
5Fisher (MA)41Southeastern (FL)5
2Middle Georgia State4
2Middle Georgia State2
3Bryan (TN)1
1Southeastern (FL)18–
2Middle Georgia State4–
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Middle Georgia State511
4USC–Beaufort63Bryan2
5Fisher53Bryan11
3Bryan13

Marion Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Indiana Wesleyan at Wildcat Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Oklahoma Wesleyan7
4Olivet Nazarene (IL)25Indiana Tech3
5Indiana Tech51Oklahoma Wesleyan14
2Indiana Wesleyan6
2Indiana Wesleyan2
3Columbia (MO)1
1Oklahoma Wesleyan1112
5Indiana Tech134
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2Indiana Wesleyan6
5Indiana Tech65Indiana Tech11
4Olivet Nazarene43Columbia (MO)2
3Columbia (MO)14

Montgomery Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Faulkner (AL) at Harrison Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Vanguard (CA)6
4Freed–Hardeman (TN)114Freed–Hardeman1
5Our Lady of the Lake (TX)21Vanguard3
2Faulkner7
2Faulkner (AL)4
3St. Thomas (FL)3
2Faulkner520
1Vanguard61010
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Vanguard11
4Freed–Hardeman74Freed–Hardeman9
5Our Lady of the Lake73St. Thomas (FL)6
3St. Thomas (FL)14

New Orleans Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Loyola (LA) at Segnette Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Loyola (LA)1
4Benedictine (KS)25Ottawa (KS)4
5Ottawa (KS)55Ottawa (KS)5
2Keiser19
2Keiser (FL)8
3Oklahoma City0
2Keiser7–
3Oklahoma City3–
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
5Ottawa (KS)0
1Loyola (LA)33Oklahoma City7
4Benedictine (KS)33Oklahoma City412
3Oklahoma City413

O'Fallon Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Central Methodist (MO) at CarShield Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Central Methodist (MO)17
4McPherson (KS)74McPherson8
5Doane (NE)21Central Methodist6
2William Carey4
2William Carey (MS)2
3Benedictine–Mesa (AZ)1
1Central Methodist7–
2William Carey2–
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2William Carey10
4McPherson84McPherson2
5Doane13Benedictine–Mesa1
3Benedictine–Mesa7

Santa Barbara Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Westmont (CA) at Russell Carr Field

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Georgia Gwinnett13
4Saint Katherine (CA)34Saint Katherine6
5Corban (OR)01Georgia Gwinnett5
2Hope International8
2Hope International (CA)10
3Westmont (CA)5
2Hope International42
1Georgia Gwinnett125
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
1Georgia Gwinnett14
4Saint Katherine53Westmont4
5Corban43Westmont12
3Westmont11

Williamsburg Bracket[edit]

Hosted by Cumberlands (KY) at Doyle Buhl Stadium

First roundSecond roundSemifinalsFinals
1Cumberlands (KY)2
4Point Park (PA)94Point Park6
5Mayville State (ND)34Point Park9
2LSU–Shreveport7
2LSU–Shreveport7
3Reinhardt (GA)3
4Point Park11
2LSU–Shreveport86
First roundSecond roundSemifinals
2LSU–Shreveport15
1Cumberlands (KY)13Reinhardt6
5Mayville State13Reinhardt5
3Reinhardt2

NAIA World Series[edit]

The NAIA World Series was held at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.

Participants[edit]

School Conference Record Head Coach Bracket Previous NAIA
WS Appearances 		Best NAIA
WS Finish 		NAIA WS
Record
Central Methodist (MO) Heart 45–6 Nate Breland O'Fallon none none 0–0
Concordia (NE) Great Plains 42–10 Ryan Dupic Bellevue none none 0–0
Faulkner (AL) Southern States 38–10 Patrick McCarthy Montgomery 8
(last: 2019)		 1st
(2013)		 18–14
Georgia Gwinnett A.I.I. 46–10 Jeremy Sheetinger Santa Barbara 3
(last: 2019)		 3rd
(2018, 2019)		 5–6
IU–Southeast River States 48–14 Ben Reel Kingsport none none 0–0
Keiser (FL) The Sun 36–16 Brook Fordyce New Orleans 1
(last: 2017)		 T-7th
(2017)		 1–2
Lewis–Clark State (ID) Cascade 41–4 Jake Taylor n/a 38
(last: 2019)		 1st
(1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1996, 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2015, 2016, 2017)		 145–50
LSU–Shreveport Red River 44–14 Brad Neffendorf Williamsburg 3
(last: 2012)		 3rd
(2003, 2012)		 8–6
Oklahoma Wesleyan Kansas 49–9 Kirk Kelley Marion 2
(last: 2017)		 3rd
(2014)		 3–4
Southeastern (FL) The Sun 50–7 Adrian Dinkel Lakeland 2
(last: 2019)		 1st
(2018)		 7–2

Bracket[edit]

Source:[3]

Preliminary Bracket[edit]

First round
Friday, May 28		First round
Friday, May 28
Second round
Saturday, May 29		Third round
Monday, May 31
Winners to Championship Bracket		Fourth Round
Tuesday, June 1
1Southeastern25
8Keiser39LSU–Shreveport13
1Southeastern7
9LSU–Shreveport10
5Georgia Gwinnett11
4Oklahoma Wesleyan6
5Georgia Gwinnett9
5Georgia Gwinnett9
2Central Methodist3
2Central Methodist11
7IU–Southeast47IU–Southeast5
2Central Methodist4
10Concordia (NE)2
6Faulkner3
3Lewis–Clark State0
6Faulkner4
First round
Saturday, May 29
Losers eliminated		Second round
Monday, May 31
Losers eliminated		Third round[a]
Tuesday, June 1
Winners to Championship Bracket
1Southeastern6
9LSU–Shreveport63Lewis–Clark State10
10Concordia (NE)03Lewis–Clark State9
3Lewis–Clark State10
6Faulkner14
7IU–Southeast97IU–Southeast10
8Keiser88Keiser7
4Oklahoma Wesleyan3

Championship Bracket[edit]

Semifinals
Wednesday, June 2 		Final
Thursday, June 3
       
5 Georgia Gwinnett 15
6 Faulkner 10
5 Georgia Gwinnett 8 –
2 Central Methodist 4 –
3 Lewis–Clark State 5
2 Central Methodist 8

Game Results[edit]

All game times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–07:00).[4]

Preliminary Bracket[edit]

Friday, May 28
8:30 am
Game 1 		(9) LSU–Shreveport 10–3 (8) Keiser Harris Field
Attendance: 440
Umpires: HP: Nicholas Katchur, 1B: Colin Price, 2B: Scott Jones, 3B: Bill Gannaway
WP: Sebastian Selway (7–3)
Sv: Kevin Miranda (1) 		Boxscore LP: James Reynolds (7–4)
HR: Payton Robertson (8)
Friday, May 28
11:30 am
Game 2 		(5) Georgia Gwinnett 9–6 (4) Oklahoma Wesleyan Harris Field
Attendance: 480
Umpires: HP: Tyler Schmidt, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Creal Waddell
WP: Hunter Dollander (11–1) Boxscore LP: Billy Wall (3–2)
HR: Griffin Keller (17), Livingston Morris (13), Chase Evans (6) HR: Cody Muncy (27)
Friday, May 28
3:00 pm
Game 3 		(10) Concordia (NE) 2–4 (7) IU–Southeast Harris Field
Attendance: 520
Umpires: HP: Colin Price, 1B: Scott Jones, 2B: Bill Gannaway, 3B: Nicholas Katchur
LP: Jake Fosgett (9–1) Boxscore WP: Gavin Knust (2–0)
HR: Marco Romero (7)
Friday, May 28
7:00 pm
Game 4 		(6) Faulkner 4–0 (3) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Daniel Rios, 1B: Jeff Kopecky, 2B: Creal Waddell, 3B: Tyler Schmidt
WP: Antonio Frias (12–0) Boxscore LP: Eric Chavarria (8–2)
HR: Shawn Ross (14), Isaac Phillips (4)
Saturday, May 29
8:30 am
Game 5 		(8) Keiser 8–3 (4) Oklahoma Wesleyan Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Jeff Kopecky, 1B: Bill Gannaway, 2B: Tyler Schmidt, 3B: Colin Price
WP: Pablo Arevalo (10–3) Boxscore LP: Crosby Bringhurst (9–1)
HR: Danny Perez (20), Seth Delgado (13)
Saturday, May 29
11:30 am
Game 6 		(3) Lewis–Clark State 10–0 (10) Concordia (NE) Harris Field
Attendance: 340
Umpires: HP: Scott Jones, 1B: Creal Waddell, 2B: Nicholas Katchur, 3B: Daniel Rios
WP: Trent Sellers (7–1) Boxscore LP: Alex Johnson (2–1)
HR: Dalton Harum (7)
Saturday, May 29
3:00 pm
Game 7 		(9) LSU–Shreveport 13–25 (1) Southeastern Harris Field
Attendance: 210
Umpires: HP: Bill Gannaway, 1B: Tyler Schmidt, 2B: Colin Price, 3B: Jeff Kopecky
LP: Nathan Cachu (2–1) Boxscore WP: Christian Camacho (11–1)
HR: Austin McNicholas (5), Kody Kolb (5), Carlos Pineyro (6) HR: Nick Bottari (22), Carter Bridge (8), Anthony Carrera 2 (14), Austin James (8)
Saturday, May 29
6:30 pm
Game 8 		(7) IU–Southeast 5–11 (2) Central Methodist Harris Field
Attendance: 380
Umpires: HP: Creal Waddell, 1B: Nicholas Katchur, 2B: Daniel Rios, 3B: Scott Jones
LP: Trevor Reynolds (9–2) Boxscore WP: Nick Merkel (13–0)
HR: Kenny Otero (8), Logan Haring (20), Sergio Macias 2 (20)
Monday, May 31
8:30 am
Game 9 		(3) Lewis–Clark State 9–6 (9) LSU–Shreveport Harris Field
Attendance: 2510
Umpires: HP: Creal Waddell, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Scott Jones, 3B: Tyler Schmidt
WP: Jesse Parker (3–1)
Sv: Greg Blackman (2) 		Boxscore LP: Luisdiego Quintana (4–4)
HR: Jack Johnson (7), Brock Ephan (19), Luke White (11) HR: Carlos Pineyro (7), Taylor Fajardo (16), Miguel Morgan (7)
Monday, May 31
11:30 am
Game 10 		(7) IU–Southeast 9–7 (8) Keiser Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Colin Price, 1B: Nicholas Katchur, 2B: Bill Gannaway, 3B: Jeff Kopecky
WP: Drew Hensley (9–3)
Sv: Jacob Frankel (6) 		Boxscore LP: Deykel Reyes (8–2)
HR: Tim Bouchard (17)
Monday, May 31
3:00 pm
Game 11 		(1) Southeastern 7–11 (5) Georgia Gwinnett Harris Field
Attendance: 175
Umpires: HP: Daniel Rios, 1B: Scott Jones, 2B: Tyler Schmidt, 3B: Creal Waddell
LP: Ryan Munoz (11–1) Boxscore WP: Adam McKillican (7–3)
HR: Nick Bottari (23) HR: Griffin Keller (18)
Monday, May 31
6:30 pm
Game 12 		(2) Central Methodist 4–3 (6) Faulkner Harris Field
Attendance: 390
Umpires: HP: Nicholas Katchur, 1B: Bill Gannaway, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Colin Price
WP: Mason Schwellenbach (14–1)
Sv: Sergio Macias (6) 		Boxscore LP: July Sosa (7–3)
HR: Mason Schwellenbach (12)
Tuesday, June 1
11:00 am
Game 13 		(1) Southeastern 6–10 (3) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Umpires: HP: Jeff Kopecky, 1B: Scott Jones, 2B: Creal Waddell, 3B: Nicholas Katchur
LP: Jayden Hartle (2–2) Boxscore WP: Trent Sellers (8–1)
HR: Nick Bottari (24), Carter Bridge (9) HR: Jack Johnson (8)
Tuesday, June 1
3:00 pm
Game 14 		(6) Faulkner 14–10 (7) IU–Southeast Harris Field
Attendance: 120
Umpires: HP: Tyler Schmidt, 1B: Bill Gannaway, 2B: Creal Waddell, 3B: Colin Price
WP: Antonio Frias (13–0) Boxscore LP: Brenden Bube (4–4)
HR: Sam Anthony 2 (6), John Michael Mathews 2 (9) HR: Clay Woeste (8)
Tuesday, June 1
6:30 pm
Game 15 		(5) Georgia Gwinnett 9–3 (2) Central Methodist Harris Field
Attendance: 540
Umpires: HP: Scott Jones, 1B: Daniel Rios, 2B: Nicholas Katchur, 3B: Jeff Kopecky
WP: Tyler Clayton (5–3)
Sv: Gage Williams (3) 		Boxscore LP: Kenny Otero (9–3)
HR: Austin Bates (2), Gabe Howell (10)

Championship Bracket[edit]

Wednesday, June 2
3:00 pm
Game 16 		(2) Central Methodist 8–5 (3) Lewis–Clark State Harris Field
Attendance: 533
Umpires: HP: Bill Gannaway, 1B: Nicholas Katchur, 2B: Jeff Kopecky, 3B: Tyler Schmidt, LF: Colin Price, RF: Creal Waddell
WP: Nick Merkel (14–0) Boxscore LP: Tallon Thomason (7–1)
HR: Adrian Martinez (9) HR: Brock Ephan (20)
Wednesday, June 2
6:30 pm
Game 17 		(5) Georgia Gwinnett 15–10 (6) Faulkner Harris Field
Attendance: 185
Umpires: HP: Daniel Rios, 1B: Jeff Kopecky, 2B: Scott Jones, 3B: Creal Waddell, LF: Nicholas Katchur, RF: Colin Price
WP: Kevin Kyle (9–0) Boxscore LP: Tyberius Correa (3–3)
HR: Nick Barnes (16), Myles McKisic (2) HR: Sam Anthony (7), Shawn Ross 2 (16), Bo Seccombe (3)

Championship Game[edit]

Thursday, June 3 6:30 pm PDT at Harris Field
Game 18
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Central Methodist 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 7 2
Georgia Gwinnett 0 2 1 1 0 4 0 0 X 8 15 3
WP: Hunter Dollander (12–1)   LP: Dylan Brister (6–2)
Home runs:
CMU: None
GGC: J.D. Stubbs (4)
Attendance: 1405
Umpires: HP: Jeff Kopecky, 1B: Scott Jones, 2B: Bill Gannaway, 3B: Tyler Schmidt, LF: Daniel Rios, RF: Nicholas Katchur
Boxscore

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Bracket was adjusted after Game 12 to match teams in the loser's bracket who had not yet faced each other.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Baseball Opening Round Hosts Set". NAIA. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "2021 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "2021_ws_bracket.pdf" (PDF). NAIA. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "2021 NAIA World Series Schedule/Results". NAIA. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
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