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