The 2024 NAIA softball tournament was the 43rd edition of the NAIA softball championship. The 48-team tournament began on May 13 with Opening Round games at ten different sites and concluded with the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia on May 23-29.
Our Lady of the Lake won its first NAIA title, defeating Jessup 2-0. Cassandra Valdez of Our Lady of the Lake was named tournament MVP.
2024 NAIA softball tournament |
| Teams | 48 |
|---|
| Format | double-elimination |
|---|
| Finals site | South Commons Softball Complex
Columbus, GA |
|---|
| Champions | Our Lady of the Lake (1st title) |
|---|
| Runner-up | Jessup |
|---|
| Winning coach | Bruce Lenington |
|---|
| MVP | Cassandra Valdez (Our Lady of the Lake) |
|---|
| Television | NAIA Network, ESPN3 |
|---|
|
For the 2024 tournament, the field was expanded to 48 teams, with 32 receiving an automatic bid by either winning their conference's tournament, finishing as their conference tournament runner-up, or by finishing in first place in their conference. The remaining 16 bids were issued at large, with selections extended by the NAIA Selection Committee.[1]
Bids
Conferences with 10 or more members received two automatic berths, while conferences with less than 10 received one.[1] All conferences awarded a bid to their tournament champion.
Automatic
At-large
By conference
| Conference
|
Total
|
Schools
|
| Cascade
|
4
|
College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon
|
| Heart
|
4
|
Baker, Benedictine, Central Methodist, Grand View
|
| Crossroads League
|
3
|
Indiana Wesleyan, Marian, Spring Arbor
|
| Golden State
|
3
|
Jessup, Hope International, Vanguard
|
| KCAC
|
3
|
Evangel, Friends, Ottawa
|
| Red River
|
3
|
Houston-Victoria, LSU Alexandria, Our Lady of the Lake
|
| Sooner
|
3
|
Mid-America Christian, Oklahoma City, Science & Arts
|
| Southern States
|
3
|
Middle Georgia State, Stillman, William Carey
|
| The Sun
|
3
|
Coastal Georgia, Southeastern, St. Thomas
|
| American Midwest
|
2
|
Cottey, Missouri Baptist
|
| Appalachian
|
2
|
Reinhardt, Tennessee Wesleyan
|
| Chicagoland
|
2
|
St. Francis, St. Xavier
|
| Continental
|
2
|
Georgia Gwinnett, Florida National
|
| Great Plains
|
2
|
Midland, Northwestern
|
| Mid-South
|
2
|
Cumberlands, Freed-Hardeman
|
| North Star
|
2
|
Bellevue, Dickinson State
|
| River States
|
2
|
Indiana Southeast, Rio Grande
|
| Wolverine-Hoosier
|
2
|
Aquinas, Madonna
|
| Cal-Pac
|
1
|
Embry-Riddle
|
Opening Round
The Opening Round brackets were held May 13-16 at campus sites.[2]
Chickasha Bracket (Bill Smith Ballpark - Chickasha, OK)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Science & Arts | 5 |
| | |
| 4 | Baker | 3 | | | 4 | Baker | 3 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Friends | 0 | | | | Science & Arts | 5 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Midland | 4 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Midland | 2 | |
| | | |
| 3 | LSU Alexandria | 0 | | |
| | | Science & Arts (5 inn.) | 8 |
| | | |
| | | Midland | 0 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Midland | 5 |
| | |
| | Baker | 1 | | | LSU Alexandria | 2 | | |
| | | | |
| Friends | 0 | | | LSU Alexandria | 7 | | | |
| | | | |
| LSU Alexandria | 1 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Fayette Bracket (Cox Stadium Complex - Fayette, MO)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Central Methodist (5 inn.) | 12 |
| | |
| 4 | Mid-America Christian | 0 | | | 5 | Dickinson State | 0 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Dickinson State | 2 | | | | Central Methodist | 3 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Indiana Wesleyan | 4 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Indiana Wesleyan | 1 | |
| | | |
| 3 | College of Idaho | 0 | | |
| | | Indiana Wesleyan | 3 | 1 |
| | | |
| | | Central Methodist | 8 | 4 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Central Methodist | 7 |
| | |
| | Dickinson State | 3 | | | Dickinson State | 0 | | |
| | | | |
| Mid-America Christian | 4 | | | Mid-America Christian | 2 | | | |
| | | | |
| College of Idaho | 0 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Hattiesburg Bracket (Joseph & Nancy Fail Field - Hattiesburg, MS)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Jessup | 6 |
| | |
| 4 | IU Southeast | 3 | | | 5 | Stillman | 3 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Stillman | 7 | | | | Jessup | 6 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | William Carey | 3 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | William Carey | 3 | |
| | | |
| 3 | Reinhardt | 2 | | |
| | | Jessup | 2 | 4 |
| | | |
| | | William Carey | 3 | 3 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | William Carey | 10 |
| | |
| | Stillman | 4 | | | Stillman | 3 | | |
| | | | |
| IU Southeast | 1 | | | IU Southeast | 1 | | | |
| | | | |
| Reinhardt | 0 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Indianapolis Bracket (Marian Softball Diamond - Indianapolis, IN)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Marian | 6 |
| | |
| 4 | Aquinas | 2 | | | 5 | Rio Grande | 5 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Rio Grande | 5 | | | | Marian | 1 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Southern Oregon | 6 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Southern Oregon | 1 | |
| | | |
| 3 | Middle Georgia State | 0 | | |
| | | Southern Oregon | 9 |
| | | |
| | | Marian | 2 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Marian (9 inn.) | 1 |
| | |
| | Rio Grande | 0 | | | Aquinas | 0 | | |
| | | | |
| Aquinas | 4 | | | Aquinas (5 inn.) | 8 | | | |
| | | | |
| Middle Georgia State | 1 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Klamath Falls Bracket (John & Lois Stillwell Stadium - Klamath Falls, OR)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Oregon Tech (8 inn.) | 4 |
| | |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle (5 inn.) | 10 | | | 4 | Embry-Riddle | 3 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Florida National | 0 | | | | Oregon Tech | 2 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Vanguard | 8 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Vanguard | 8 | |
| | | |
| 3 | St. Thomas | 5 | | |
| | | Vanguard | 5 | 0 |
| | | |
| | | Oregon Tech | 7 | 8 (5 inn.) |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Oregon Tech | 7 |
| | |
| | Embry-Riddle | 0 | | | St. Thomas | 5 | | |
| | | | |
| Florida National | 5 | | | St. Thomas | 1 | | | |
| | | | |
| St. Thomas | 6 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Lawrenceville Bracket (Grizzly Softball Complex - Lawrenceville, GA)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Eastern Oregon | 8 |
| | |
| 4 | Missouri Baptist | 3 | | | 5 | Spring Arbor | 3 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Spring Arbor | 4 | | | | Eastern Oregon | 0 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Georgia Gwinnett | 2 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Georgia Gwinnett | 4 | |
| | | |
| 3 | Southeastern | 0 | | |
| | | Georgia Gwinnett | 1 |
| | | |
| | | Eastern Oregon | 0 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Eastern Oregon | 3 |
| | |
| | Spring Arbor | 0 | | | Southeastern | 2 | | |
| | | | |
| Missouri Baptist | 4 | | | Southeastern | 4 | | | |
| | | | |
| Southeastern (10 inn.) | 5 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Oklahoma City Bracket (Ann Lacy Stadium - Oklahoma City, OK)[2]
| First round
| | | Semi-finals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1
| Oklahoma City
| 6
| | | |
|
| 4
| Ottawa (KS)
| 0
| |
| | Oklahoma City
| 5
| |
| Winner's bracket
| |
| | | Houston-Victoria
| 0
| |
| 3
| Freed-Hardeman
| 0
| |
| |
| 2
| Houston-Victoria
| 4
| |
| | Oklahoma City (5 inn.)
| 11
| |
|
| |
| | | Ottawa (KS)
| 1
| |
| Ottawa (KS)
| 2
| | |
| |
| Freed-Hardeman
| 1
| |
| | Houston-Victoria
| 2
| |
| Loser's bracket
| |
| | | Ottawa (KS)
| 3
| |
San Antonio Bracket (St. Mary's University Softball Stadium - San Antonio, TX)[2]
| First round
| | | Semi-finals
| | | Finals
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1
| Our Lady of the Lake
| 4
| | | |
|
| 4
| Cottey
| 0
| |
| | Our Lady of the Lake
| 1
| |
| Winner's bracket
| |
| | | Hope International
| 0
| |
| 3
| Evangel
| 0
| |
| |
| 2
| Hope International
| 3
| |
| | Our Lady of the Lake
| 2
| |
|
| |
| | | Hope International
| 0
| |
| Evangel
| 5
| | |
| |
| Cottey
| 6
| |
| | Hope International (5 inn.)
| 9
| |
| Loser's bracket
| |
| | | Cottey
| 0
| |
Sioux Center Bracket (Open Space Park - Sioux Center, IA)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Northwestern | 2 |
| | |
| 4 | St. Xavier | 4 | | | 4 | St. Xavier | 1 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Bellevue | 3 | | | | Northwestern | 3 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Madonna | 2 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Madonna | 6 | |
| | | |
| 3 | Grand View | 3 | | |
| | | Northwestern | 2 | 0 |
| | | |
| | | Madonna | 8 | 1 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Madonna | 7 |
| | |
| | St. Xavier | 4 | | | Bellevue | 1 | | |
| | | | |
| Bellevue | 2 | | | Bellevue | 6 | | | |
| | | | |
| Grand View | 0 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Williamsburg Bracket (UC Softball Complex - Williamsburg, KY)[2]
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | Final |
|
| | | | |
|
| | 1 | Cumberlands | 3 |
| | |
| 4 | Tennessee Wesleyan | 1 | | | 5 | St. Francis | 1 | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | St. Francis | 3 | | | | Cumberlands | 5 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | Benedictine | 1 | | |
| | | | | |
| 2 | Benedictine | 2 | |
| | | |
| 3 | Coastal Georgia | 1 | | |
| | | Cumberlands | 7 |
| | | |
| | | Coastal Georgia | 1 |
| First round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | |
| |
| | | |
|
| | Benedictine | 1 |
| | |
| | St. Francis | 4 | | | Coastal Georgia | 4 | | |
| | | | |
| Tennessee Wesleyan | 1 | | | Coastal Georgia | 5 | | | |
| | | | |
| Coastal Georgia | 7 | | | |
| | | | | | |
NAIA Softball World Series
The 43rd annual NAIA Softball World Series was held May 23-29 at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Georgia.
Participants
| School
|
Conference
|
Record
(conference)
|
Head Coach
|
World Series Appearances
(including 2024)
|
World Series Record (excluding 2024)
|
| Central Methodist
|
Heart
|
52-5 (24-0)
|
Pat Reardon
|
5 (2024, 2023, 2015, 2012, 1981)
|
4-8
|
| Cumberlands
|
Mid-South
|
47-7 (23-1)
|
Bailey Dillender
|
2 (2024, 2023)
|
2-2
|
| Georgia Gwinnett
|
Continental
|
32-15 (0-0)
|
Kat Ihlenburg
|
4 (2024, 2023, 2019, 2018)
|
6-6
|
| Jessup
|
Golden State
|
39-10 (15-5)
|
Brie Campbell
|
1 (2024)
|
0-0
|
| Madonna
|
Wolverine-Hoosier
|
52-4 (22-0)
|
Ron Pezzoni
|
6 (2024, 2021, 2012, 2010, 2009, 1994)
|
7-8
|
| Oklahoma City
|
Sooner
|
54-3 (35-1)
|
Phil McSpadden
|
32 (2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988)
|
135-49
|
| Oregon Tech
|
Cascade
|
47-10 (24-3)
|
Greg Stewart
|
9 (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 1997)
|
22-14
|
| Our Lady of the Lake
|
Red River
|
53-3 (24-0)
|
Bruce Lenington
|
2 (2024, 2023)
|
0-2
|
| Science & Arts
|
Sooner
|
47-7 (31-5)
|
Jadyn Wallis
|
8 (2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018 2006, 2005, 2004)
|
16-14
|
| Southern Oregon
|
Cascade
|
40-17 (20-7)
|
Jessica Pistole
|
6 (2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017)
|
20-6
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First round | | | Second round | | | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | | | | | | National Championship |
|
| | | | | |
|
| | 8 | Madonna | 0 |
| | | |
| 8 | Madonna | 1 | | | 1 | Our Lady of the Lake | 3 | | |
| | | | | Our Lady of the Lake | 3 |
| 9 | Georgia Gwinnett | 0 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Oregon Tech | 0 | | |
| | 4 | Cumberlands | 1 | | | | |
| | | | |
| 5 | Oregon Tech | 2 | | |
| | | Our Lady of the Lake (8 inn.) | 4 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | Science & Arts | 3 | | | | | |
| | | | 7 | Jessup (5 inn.) | 11 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| 7 | Jessup | 5 | | | 2 | Oklahoma City | 2 | | |
| | | | | Jessup | 4 |
| 10 | Southern Oregon | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Science & Arts | 5 | | |
| | 3 | Central Methodist | 3 | | | | | |
| | | |
| 6 | Science & Arts | 8 | | | Our Lady of the Lake | 2 |
| | | | | |
| | | | Jessup | 0 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| First round | Second round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | |
|
| | | | | |
|
| | Oregon Tech | 4 | |
| | |
| | Oklahoma City | 1 | | | Cumberlands | 2 | | | | Science & Arts | 2 |
| | | | | | |
| Georgia Gwinnett | 0 | | | Cumberlands | 4 | | | | Oregon Tech | 3 | | | Jessup | 3 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cumberlands (8 inn.) | 1 | | | | | | Jessup | 4 | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | Jessup | 4 | |
| | |
| | Madonna | 4 | | | Madonna | 3 | | |
| | | | |
| Southern Oregon | 3 | | | Southern Oregon | 3 | | | |
| | | | |
| Central Methodist | 2 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Date
|
Game
|
Winning team
|
Score
|
Losing team
|
Winning pitcher
|
Losing pitcher
|
Save
|
Notes
|
| May 23
|
Game 1
|
Jessup
|
5-4
|
Southern Oregon
|
Katie Blankenheim (16-5)
|
Katie Machado (25-6)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 2
|
Madonna
|
1-0
|
Georgia Gwinnett
|
Maeson Schlaud (36-3)
|
Annalise Jarvis (19-6)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 3
|
Oregon Tech
|
2-1
|
Cumberlands
|
Kacie Schmidt (26-7)
|
Lindsey Shope (17-3)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 4
|
Science & Arts
|
8-3
|
Central Methodist
|
Sophie Williams (28-4)
|
Jordan Ball (27-2)
|
-
|
-
|
| May 24
|
Game 5
|
Cumberlands
|
1-0 (8 inn.)
|
Georgia Gwinnett
|
Talli Burgess (15-0)
|
Annalise Jarvis (19-7)
|
-
|
Georgia Gwinnett eliminated
|
| Game 6
|
Southern Oregon
|
3-2
|
Central Methodist
|
Katie Machado (26-6)
|
Haile Farris (19-3)
|
-
|
Central Methodist eliminated
|
| Game 7
|
Jessup
|
11-2 (5 inn.)
|
Oklahoma City
|
Bella MacFarlane (5-1)
|
Shelby Cornelson (23-4)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 8
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
3-0
|
Madonna
|
Cassandra Valdez (27-1)
|
Maeson Schlaud (36-4)
|
-
|
-
|
| May 25
|
Game 9
|
Cumberlands
|
4-1
|
Oklahoma City
|
Talli Burgess (16-0)
|
Shelby Cornelson (23-5)
|
-
|
Oklahoma City eliminated
|
| Game 10
|
Madonna
|
4-3
|
Southern Oregon
|
Maeson Schlaud (37-4)
|
Katie Machado (26-7)
|
-
|
Southern Oregon eliminated
|
| Game 11
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
3-0
|
Oregon Tech
|
Cassandra Valdez (28-1)
|
Kacie Schmidt (26-8)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 12
|
Science & Arts
|
5-4
|
Jessup
|
Sophie Williams (29-4)
|
Terra Goetz (14-3)
|
-
|
-
|
| May 27
|
Game 13
|
Oregon Tech
|
4-2
|
Cumberlands
|
Kacie Schmidt (27-8)
|
Talli Burgess (16-1)
|
Mackenzie Staub (2)
|
Cumberlands eliminated; game delayed & completed on May 28
|
| May 28
|
Game 14
|
Jessup
|
4-3
|
Madonna
|
Katie Blankenheim (17-5)
|
Maeson Schlaud (37-5)
|
-
|
Madonna eliminated
|
| Game 15
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
4-3 (8 inn.)
|
Science & Arts
|
Cassandra Valdez (29-1)
|
Sophie Williams (29-5)
|
-
|
-
|
| Game 16
|
Jessup
|
4-3
|
Oregon Tech
|
Bella MacFarlane (5-1)
|
Kacie Schmit (27-9)
|
-
|
Oregon Tech eliminated
|
| May 29
|
Game 17
|
Jessup
|
3-2
|
Science & Arts
|
Katie Blankenheim (18-5)
|
Sophie Williams (29-6)
|
-
|
Science & Arts eliminated
|
| Game 18
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
2-0
|
Jessup
|
Cassandra Valdez (30-1)
|
Terra Goetz (14-4)
|
-
|
Our Lady of the Lake wins NAIA Softball World Series
|
May 29, 2024 - 5:00 PM EDT at South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Georgia
| Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E
|
| Jessup |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0
|
| Our Lady of the Lake |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
X |
2 |
6 |
0
|
WP: Cassandra Valdez (30-1) LP: Terra Goetz (14-4)
Home runs:
JESSUP: None
OLLU: Madison Garza
Attendance: N/A Time: 1:53
Umpires: HP: Scott Helmka, 1B: Terry Hall, 2B: Phil Troutman, 3B: Kristina Bates
Boxscore
|
| Position
|
Player
|
School
|
| P
|
Talli Burgess
|
Cumberlands
|
| Annalise Jarvis
|
Georgia Gwinnett
|
| Maeson Schlaud
|
Madonna
|
| Kacie Schmidt
|
Oregon Tech
|
| Sophie Williams
|
Science & Arts
|
| P/UTL
|
Cassandra Valdez (MVP)
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
| 1B
|
Puakea Milbourne
|
Oregon Tech
|
| INF
|
Sarah Giles
|
Jessup
|
| Malea McMurtrey
|
Science & Arts
|
| INF/OF
|
Hailey Seva
|
Southern Oregon
|
| OF
|
Kayla Dreese
|
Our Lady of the Lake
|
| Amber Gainer
|
Cumberlands
|
| Alyssa Gauthier
|
Madonna
|
| Macenzie Ruth
|
Science & Arts
|
| UTL
|
Sam Lorge
|
Jessup
|
| Maddy Ybarra
|
Jessup
|
Live-streaming
The Opening Round live streams were produced by the host schools. World Series games from May 23-28 were streamed on the NAIA Network with play-by-play by Jack Kreuzer.
Television
The semifinals and national championship were broadcast on ESPN3, with Kreuzer providing play-by-play and Columbus State University softball coach Brad Huskisson serving as the analyst.
References