OWENSBORO, Ky. – The No.8-seeded Kentucky Wesleyan baseball team will open the NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament versus top-seeded and host Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan, at 10:00 AM CT on Thursday, March 14th.
The Panthers, along with the Lakers of GVSU, are joined by No. 4-seeded Missouri S&T and No. 5-seeded Davenport in their four-team regional. For the full bracket, click here.
Wesleyan, led by head coach Todd Lillpop in his 25th season, earned the G-MAC automatic bid after defeating Findlay on Saturday to clinch their first Great Midwest Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth since 2017. KWC erased 3+ run deficits in all four of their conference tournament games, including a four-run eighth inning deficit in the championship.
Baron Ratliff was one of many stars at the plate during Wesleyan's conference tournament run, hitting a team-high .500 with three doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, and six walks across the three games. The Panthers' right fielder launched a towering two-run blast in the top of the ninth to effectively put the game away versus the Oilers.
Rhett Dysholm led the team in hits with eight on top of one double, one triple, and six RBIs. Ellis Hurt had a team-high four doubles along with seven hits and six RBIs, and Tucker Hagan also racked up seven hits to add to two RBIs. Jacob Riegel and Elijah Stockton each had huge home runs in big spots throughout the week, and Logan Molnar had a 4-4 day to help the Panthers win their opener last Wednesday.
David Castleberry was the star of the pitching staff with 4.2 innings pitched and two saves across 3 scoreless appearances. Ethan Ell had a crucial seven-inning start with a career-high 11 strikeouts to give the bullpen some rest in KWC's second game of the week, and each of Josh Tucker (4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 SO versus Cedarville on Wednesday), Jacob Dilday (5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 SO versus Ashland on Friday), Weston Miller (3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 SO versus Findlay on Saturday), and Zach Taylor (1.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 SO versus Findlay on Saturday) had vital relief outings to help the Panthers win the title.
About Grand Valley State (45-8, 20-4 GLIAC)
The Lakers are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region after racking up 45 wins throughout their regular season and conference tournament. GVSU, led by third-year head coach Jordan Keur, won all four of their GLIAC Tournament games, including back-to-back blowout defeats over Davenport to claim the championship.
At the plate, Grand Valley State is fueled by a three-headed monster of Evan Morrison, Caleb Estrada, and Jovan Gill. Morrison leads the team in average (.401), hits (91), triples (6), on-base percentage (.471), and steals (25). Estrada is the power hitter with team-highs in home runs (17), OPS (1.152), and total bases (152), and Gill is the run generator with a team-high 82 RBIs on top of 18 doubles and 14 home runs of his own.
The Lakers have three phenomenal starters: Collin Bradley (10-0, 1.87 ERA, 61 SO), Owen Avery (9-1, 2.73 ERA, 58 SO), and Jackon Kees (9-1, 3.56 ERA, 55 SO). GVSU also boasts a lights-out closer in Ethan Houghtaling, who racked up six saves and a 1.85 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 17 relief appearances.
Streaming and ticket details will be shared at a later date. To view a replay of the NCAA Division II Baseball Selection Show, click here.
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