By Hayden Harmon

2024 Season Recap

Six months ago, the Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) baseball team found themselves competing for a national title for the third time in program history. Their remarkable journey to the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series Final was filled with highs and lows, involving a matchup against the Hope International University Royals. TWU’s run through the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament provided proof of their perseverance before competing on the national level. In a highly competitive championship game against the top-seeded Reinhardt University Eagles, the Bulldogs proved their title history. Crucial hits like Carson Ford’s two-run home run and Jack Stevens’ double helped TWU get ahead, but they ran into trouble when Reinhardt leveled the game in the late innings. A sacrifice fly by Corbin Shaw in the tenth inning gave the Bulldogs their 15th AAC Tournament Title and a 5-4 victory.

Highlights and lessons learned

What Went Well:
· Offensive Strength: The Bulldogs showed their offensive power throughout both the conference and national tournaments, with clutch hits from Stevens, Newman, and others.
· Team Consistency: TWU’s ability to maintain a high level of performance over multiple seasons is notable, and their 2024 campaign extended their streak of AAC championships and national tournament appearances.
· Player Impact: Standout performances, particularly from Kruise Newman, who earned MVP honors in the AAC Tournament, and Jack Stevens, kept TWU competitive.

Challenges:
· Defensive Struggles: Despite their early lead, TWU’s defense couldn’t hold Hope International at bay in the later innings of the title game. The Bulldogs gave up 14 runs, making it difficult to stage a comeback.
· Late-Game Momentum Shifts: TWU’s opponents capitalized on key moments to seize control of the game, and the Bulldogs were unable to regain their footing after the third inning.

What Went Right and What Went Wrong

In the NAIA World Series title game, the Bulldogs opened strong against Hope International. TWU took an early lead, with contributions from Braxton Turner, Evan Magill, and a sacrifice fly by Cayle Webster. The Bulldogs also saw power at the plate, with Jack Stevens hitting a three-run home run and Kruise Newman following up with a solo shot to give them a 6-4 lead by the third inning. However, the momentum shifted once again. Hope International rallied, and TWU struggled to stop the offensive surge that ultimately led to a 14-6 defeat. The loss ended TWU’s season with a 44-18 record, marking the fourth consecutive year the team won 40 or more games, but falling short of the championship they had hoped to claim.

Photo by Dakota Caldwell
Interview by Jack Shaw