Division III World Series Field Set

The field of eight teams competing in the 2019 NCAA Division III World Series has been set. The double-elimination World Series will take place from Friday, May 31-June 5 at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The eight teams that make up this year’s field are Babson (Mass.), Birmingham-Southern (Ala.), Chapman (Cal.), Heidelberg (Ohio), Johns Hopkins (Md.), Massachusetts-Boston, Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) and Webster (Mo.).

The first round of matchups in the World Series consists of Chapman vs. Washington & Jefferson, Webster vs. Massachusetts-Boston, Babson vs. Johns Hopkins and Birmingham-Southern vs. Heidelberg.

Here’s how the eight teams fighting for a national championship each made it this far.

Babson (Mass.)

Babson advanced to the NCAA Division III World Series for the first time in program history by beating Cortland (N.Y.) 7-6 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday.

Heading into the bottom of the ninth of Friday’s game, the score was tied 6-6. Connor Gill ensured that the game didn’t go to extra innings with a walk-off single to left-center field scoring Thomas Lapham. Lapham had walked and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Brian McHale.

Saturday’s matchup was more of a pitcher’s battle. Michael Genaro pitched seven innings for the Beavers, giving up four hits and Cortland’s (N.Y.) sole run of the game. Matthew Valente went 3-for-4 and scored the winning run for Babson in the top of the fifth inning.

Birmingham-Southern (Ala.)

Similar to Babson, Birmingham-Southern is making its first appearance in the NCAA Division III World Series in program history after securing back-to-back victories against Coe (Iowa), 6-4 and 11-2.

Friday’s contest lasted twelve innings after the Panthers were able to overcome a 4-1 deficit at the end of the fourth inning. Richie Misischia accounted for three of Birmingham-Southern’s six runs and made the switch from left field to the mound in the ninth inning. Misischia was able to finish the game and secure the win thanks to four scoreless innings.

Saturday’s matchup was not nearly as close. The Panthers were able to capitalize on most of their opportunities, leaving just four runners stranded throughout the entire game. A six-run fifth inning essentially sealed the win for Birmingham-Southern, with both a run scored and a single by Alfredo Granier, among others.

 

Chapman (Cal.)

Chapman was able to advance to the NCAA Division III World Series by defeating Concordia (Texas), 11-3 on Friday and 3-2 on Saturday. Heading into the series, it was expected to be a highly contested pitcher’s battle, but Friday’s game proved otherwise for Chapman’s opponent.

Concordia’s Matthew Williams gave up seven runs through the first six innings, including two home runs. Chapman’s Jonathan Hernandez pitched all nine innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out five.

Saturday’s contest was closer to what was expected from these two teams. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the two teams were tied 2-2. Chapman’s Kevin Gregersen was walked and Cooper Foard came on to pinch run for him. Foard advanced to second off of a sacrifice bunt and later scored the winning run thanks to a single to center field by Aaron Wong.

Heidelberg (Ohio)

For the second time in program history, Heidelberg is headed to the NCAA Division III World Series after winning the Mideast Super Regional.

Despite an early 2-0 lead, Heidelberg required a five-run seventh inning to defeat Wooster (Ohio), 8-5 in Friday’s game. A double to right center by Parker Fronk allowed Kane Bateman and Kyle Jenkins to score in the first inning. Hits by Robert Hunt, Bateman and Fronk all contributed to the Student Princes’ huge seventh inning.

In Saturday’s matchup, things were relatively even until a crushing 10-run eighth inning by Heidelberg. The Student Princes were able to score 10 runs on 10 hits thanks to big plays like a two-run double by Matt Psychas.

Johns Hopkins (Md.)

Johns Hopkins punched its ticket to the World Series by defeating Shenandoah in the first two games of the Mid-Atlantic Super Regional (Va.), 6-3 and 7-3.

During Friday’s victory, Jack Bunting set the new single season win record for a Johns Hopkins pitcher with his 13th win of the year. The team as a whole also tied the record for most home runs in a season in program history with 80.

In Saturday’s win, the Blue Jays were fueled by a four-run fourth inning that featured two walks with the bases already loaded and a two-out single to right field by Mike Eberle.

Massachusetts-Boston

Massachusetts-Boston defeated New England (N.H.), 5-4, in the first matchup of the series, but fell, 6-4 in the second game. In the winner-take-all third game of the New England Super Regional, Massachusetts-Boston jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back.

In the final game of the series, Dylan Fashempour threw eight strikeouts in five innings for the Beacons, giving up just one run.

Beacons shortstop Charlie Huegi Beacons was named Most Outstanding Player of the two-day tournament. The senior finished the series batting .444 with six RBI and a pair of doubles.

 

Washington & Jefferson (Pa.)

Washington & Jefferson is riding a nine-game win streak into the NCAA Division III World Series. The Presidents picked up a pair of wins against Misericordia (Pa.), 8-3 and 5-4, to claim the South Super Regional.

Friday’s contest was tied at three before Washington & Jefferson exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The bases were loaded after the Presidents saw three consecutive batters hit by pitches, and two of the runners were able to score off of an error followed by a wild pitch.

The bases were loaded again that inning thanks to an intentional walk before Mullen Socha cleared them all with a double to center field for Washington & Jefferson.

Webster (Mo.)

For the fourth time in program history, Webster is heading to the NCAA Division III World Series. Webster won back-to-back games against Concordia-Chicago (Ill.) to clinch the Midwest Super Regional.

The Gorloks never trailed during the first game of the series, driving in three runs during the second inning, followed by the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh in route to a 4-3 victory.

In the second game of the series, Webster notched a season-high 22 hits in a 17-6 win. The Gorloks were able to score at least one run in every inning except the ninth.