NCCAA
EASLEY, S.C.: Columbia International University won its first-ever NCCAA Baseball National Championship after knocking off the No. 1 seed, Southwestern Christian University, 11-2.
Hernandez started things off for the Rams knocking one out of the park for a homerun to put his team up 1-0 early in the first of the Championship game. The Southwestern Christian Eagles fired back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, but CIU quickly answered with 4 runs in the third. They would go on to score 3 more in the sixth, 3 in the eighth, and added 1 more in the ninth to close things out. Every spot in the lineup contributed a hit, with Bodison leading the way with three hits and four RBI’s. Justin Parrish pitched six innings, striking out three and allowing just two earned runs and five hits.
The Rams cruised through pool play, finishing 4-0 and winning Pool B. On the first day of the tournament, Columbia International defeated No. 6 College of the Ozarks 6-2, as Christian Orr came on to pitch the final three innings and picked up the win with 4 strikeouts. The Rams then had a dominant 12-3 win over No. 10 Toccoa Falls College, as Carter Willis hit a home run and drove in 3 RBI’s to lead the way.
On Day Two of pool play, Columbia International won a tight 6-4 contest over No. 2 Concordia University Ann Arbor, as Willis homered again and collected 4 more RBI’s. After a day of rest on Sunday, the Rams defeated No. 7 Kansas Christian College 5-3. Rafael Gonzales was a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate with an RBI, while Shane Hammonds was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI’s. In their semifinal game, the Rams only needed 7 innings to defeat No. 8 Carolina University 10-0 on the run rule. Trent Polly picked up the complete-game shutout win and struck out 3 batters.
Columbia International’s Justin Parrish was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. The All-Tournament Team is listed HERE.
Full results with box scores are posted HERE.