2024 NAIA softball tournament

2024 NAIA
softball tournament

Teams	48
Finals site	South Commons Complex Columbus, Georgia
Champions	Our Lady of the Lake (TX) (1st title)
Winning coach	Bruce Lenington
MVP	Cassandra Valdez (Our Lady of the Lake)

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 across ten different sites and concluded with the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series Columbus, Georgia that started on May 23 and ended on May 29.

Our Lady of the Lake (TX) won its first NAIA title, defeating Jessup (CA) 2–0. Cassandra Valdez of Our Lady of the Lake was named tournament MVP.

The 48 participating teams were selected from all eligible NAIA teams. 32 teams were awarded automatic bids as either champions and/or runners-up of their conferences and 16 teams were selected at-large by the National Selection Committee. Teams were then placed into one of ten pre-determined Opening Round sites, with eight sites consisting of five teams and two sites consisting of four teams, each of which was conducted via a double-elimination tournament. The winners of each of the Opening Round sites will advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series.

Format

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.

Opening round hosts

On May 1, the NAIA announced the ten opening round host sites, which were played from May 13–16.

Fayette

Lawrenceville

Sioux Center

Hattiesburg

Klamath Falls

Chickasha

Oklahoma City

San Antonio

Indianapolis

Williamsburg

Opening Round hosts

Venue	Location	Host
Cox Softball Complex	Fayette, MO	Central Methodist University
UC Softball Complex	Williamsburg, KY	University of the Cumberlands
Grizzly Softball Complex	Lawrenceville, GA	Georgia Gwinnett College
Marian Softball Diamond	Indianapolis, IN	Marian University
Open Space Park	Sioux Center, IA	Northwestern College
Ann Lacy Stadium	Oklahoma City, OK	Oklahoma City University
Stilwell Stadium	Klamath Falls, OR	Oregon Tech
Bill Smith Ballpark	Chickasha, OK	University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
St. Mary's University Softball Field	San Antonio, TX	Our Lady of the Lake University
Joseph & Nancy Fail Field	Hattiesburg, MS	William Carey University

Bids

Conferences with 10 or more members received two automatic berths, while conferences with less than 10 received one. All conferences awarded a bid to their tournament champion.

Automatic

School	Conference	Record	Berth	Last NAIA Appearance
Aquinas (MI)	Wolverine-Hoosier	40–13	Tournament runner-up	2021 (Bowling Green Bracket)
Benedictine (KS)	Heart	39–14	Tournament runner-up	First appearance
Central Methodist (MO)	Heart	48–4	Regular season champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Cottey (MO)	American Midwest	31–19	Regular season champion	2023 (Chickasha Bracket)
Dickinson State (ND)	North Star	24–22	Tournament champion	2021 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Eastern Oregon	Cascade	37–8	Tournament champion	2022 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Embry–Riddle (AZ)	Cal-Pac	38–11	Tournament champion	2023 (Klamath Falls Bracket)
Evangel (MO)	Kansas	36–8	Regular season champion	2006 NAIA Softball World Series (Pool A)
Florida National	Continental	23–22	Tournament runner-up	First appearance
Freed–Hardeman (TN)	Mid-South	31–16	Tournament champion	2023 (Henderson Bracket)
Georgia Gwinnett	Continental	29–15	Tournament champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Indiana Wesleyan	Crossroads	40–13	Tournament runner-up	2023 (Williamsburg Bracket)
IU Southeast	River States	34–16	Regular season champion	2023 (Baldwin City Bracket)
LSU–Alexandria	Red River	36–12	Tournament champion	2019 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
Madonna (MI)	Wolverine-Hoosier	48–3	Regular season champion	2023 (Williamsburg Bracket)
Marian (IN)	Crossroads	44–10	Regular season champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Middle Georgia State	Southern States	33–14	Tournament runner-up	2023 (Indianapolis Bracket)
Midland (NE)	Great Plains	42–10	Tournament runner-up	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Missouri Baptist	American Midwest	33–12	Regular season champion	First appearance
Northwestern (IA)	Great Plains	48–5	Regular season champion	2023 (Klamath Falls Bracket)
Oklahoma City (OK)	Sooner	49–3	Regular season champion	2023 (Oklahoma City Bracket)
Oregon Tech	Cascade	43–9	Regular season champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Ottawa (KS)	Kansas	38–16	Regular season runner-up	2023 (Henderson Bracket)
Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	Red River	50–3	Regular season champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Reinhardt (GA)	Appalachian	42–8	Regular season champion	2023 (Ashland Bracket)
Rio Grande (OH)	River States	34–17	Tournament champion	2022 (Klamath Falls Bracket)
Saint Xavier (IL)	Chicagoland	27–12	Tournament champion	2023 (Klamath Falls Bracket)
Science & Arts (OK)	Sooner	44–7	Tournament champion	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
St. Thomas (FL)	The Sun	38–10	Tournament champion	2014 (Concordia Bracket)
Tennessee Wesleyan	Appalachian	27–13	Tournament runner-up	2023 (Indianapolis Bracket)
Vanguard (CA)	Golden State	40–11	Tournament champion	2023 (Ashland Bracket)
William Carey (MS)	Southern States	38–12	Regular season champion	2022 (Hattiesburg Bracket)

At-Large

School	Conference	Record	Last NAIA Appearance
Baker (KS)	Heart	33–14	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Bellevue (NE)	North Star	32–20	2019 (Dodge City Bracket)
Coastal Georgia	The Sun	36–12	2023 (Lawrenceville Bracket)
College of Idaho	Cascade	32–17	2023 (Baldwin City Bracket)
Cumberlands (KY)	Mid-South	44–7	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Friends (KS)	Kansas	34–17	2011 NAIA Softball World Series (Pool A)
Grand View (IA)	Heart	33–17	2022 NAIA Softball World Series
Hope International (CA)	Golden State	35–15	2023 (San Antonio Bracket)
Houston–Victoria (TX)	Red River	32–12	2021 (Hattiesburg Bracket)
Jessup (CA)	Golden State	36–9	2022 (Klamath Falls Bracket)
Mid-America Christian (OK)	Sooner	36–15	First appearance
St. Francis (IL)	Chicagoland	29–14	2023 (Henderson Bracket)
Southeastern (FL)	The Sun	38–17	2023 (Ashland Bracket)
Southern Oregon	Cascade	42–11	2023 NAIA Softball World Series
Spring Arbor (MI)	Crossroads	33–20	1986 NAIA Softball World Series
Stillman (AL)	Southern States	35–13	First appearance

By conference

Conference	Total	Schools
Cascade	4	College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon
Heart	4	Baker (KS), Benedictine (KS), Central Methodist (MO), Grand View (IA)
Crossroads	3	Indiana Wesleyan, Marian (IN), Spring Arbor (MI)
Golden State	3	Jessup (CA), Hope International (CA), Vanguard (CA)
Kansas	3	Evangel (MO), Friends (KS), Ottawa (KS)
Red River	3	Houston–Victoria (TX), LSU–Alexandria, Our Lady of the Lake (TX)
Sooner	3	Mid-America Christian (OK), Oklahoma City (OK), Science & Arts (OK)
Southern States	3	Middle Georgia State, Stillman (AL), William Carey (MS)
The Sun	3	Coastal Georgia, Southeastern (FL), St. Thomas (FL)
American Midwest	2	Cottey (MO), Missouri Baptist
Appalachian	2	Reinhardt (GA), Tennessee Wesleyan
Chicagoland	2	Saint Xavier (IL), St. Francis (IL)
Continental	2	Georgia Gwinnett, Florida National
Great Plains	2	Midland (NE), Northwestern (IA)
Mid-South	2	Cumberlands (KY), Freed–Hardeman (TN)
North Star	2	Bellevue (NE), Dickinson State (ND)
River States	2	IU Southeast, Rio Grande (OH)
Wolverine-Hoosier	2	Aquinas (MI), Madonna (MI)
Cal-Pac	1	Embry–Riddle (AZ)

Opening Round

The Opening Round was held from May 13 to 16.

Chickasha Bracket

Hosted by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma at Bill Smith Ballpark

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Science & Arts (OK)	5
	4	Baker (KS)	3			4	Baker (KS)	3
	5	Friends (KS)	0								1	Science & Arts (OK)	5
											2	Midland (NE)	4
						2	Midland (NE)	2
						3	LSU–Alexandria	0
																1	Science & Arts (OK)	8(5)	–
																2	Midland (NE)	0	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											2	Midland (NE)	5
						4	Baker (KS)	1			3	LSU–Alexandria	2
	5	Friends (KS)	0			3	LSU–Alexandria	7
	3	LSU–Alexandria	1

Fayette Bracket

Hosted by Central Methodist University at Cox Softball Complex

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Central Methodist (MO)	12(5)
	4	Mid-America Christian (OK)	0			5	Dickinson State (ND)	0
	5	Dickinson State (ND)	2								1	Central Methodist (MO)	3
											2	Indiana Wesleyan	4
						2	Indiana Wesleyan	1
						3	College of Idaho	0
																2	Indiana Wesleyan	3	1
																1	Central Methodist (MO)	8	4
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											1	Central Methodist (MO)	7
						5	Dickinson State (ND)	3			5	Dickinson State (ND)	0
	4	Mid-America Christian (OK)	4			4	Mid-America Christian (OK)	2
	3	College of Idaho	0

Hattiesburg Bracket

Hosted by William Carey University at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Jessup (CA)	6
	4	IU Southeast	3			5	Stillman (AL)	3
	5	Stillman (AL)	7								1	Jessup (CA)	6
											2	William Carey (MS)	3
						2	William Carey (MS)	3
						3	Reinhardt (GA)	2
																1	Jessup (CA)	2	4
																2	William Carey (MS)	3	3
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											2	William Carey (MS)	10
						5	Stillman (AL)	4			5	Stillman (AL)	3
	4	IU Southeast	1			4	IU Southeast	1
	3	Reinhardt (GA)	0

Indianapolis Bracket

Hosted by Marian University at Marian Softball Diamond

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Marian (IN)	6
	4	Aquinas (MI)	2			5	Rio Grande (OH)	5
	5	Rio Grande (OH)	5								1	Marian (IN)	1
											2	Southern Oregon	6
						2	Southern Oregon	1
						3	Middle Georgia State	0
																2	Southern Oregon	9	–
																1	Marian (IN)	2	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											1	Marian (IN)	1(9)
						5	Rio Grande (OH)	0			4	Aquinas (MI)	0
	4	Aquinas (MI)	4			4	Aquinas (MI)	8(5)
	3	Middle Georgia State	1

Klamath Falls Bracket

Hosted by Oregon Tech at Stilwell Stadium

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Oregon Tech	4(8)
	4	Embry–Riddle (AZ)	10(5)			4	Embry–Riddle (AZ)	3
	5	Florida National	0								1	Oregon Tech	2
											2	Vanguard (CA)	8
						2	Vanguard (CA)	8
						3	St. Thomas (FL)	5
																2	Vanguard (CA)	5	0
																1	Oregon Tech	7	8(5)
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											1	Oregon Tech	7
						4	Embry–Riddle (AZ)	0			3	St. Thomas (FL)	5
	5	Florida National	5			3	St. Thomas (FL)	1
	3	St. Thomas (FL)	6

Lawrenceville Bracket

Hosted by Georgia Gwinnett College at Grizzly Softball Complex

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Eastern Oregon	8
	4	Missouri Baptist	3			5	Spring Arbor (MI)	3
	5	Spring Arbor (MI)	4								1	Eastern Oregon	0
											2	Georgia Gwinnett	2
						2	Georgia Gwinnett	4
						3	Southeastern (FL)	0
																2	Georgia Gwinnett	1	–
																1	Eastern Oregon	0	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											1	Eastern Oregon	3
						5	Spring Arbor (MI)	0			3	Southeastern (FL)	2
	4	Missouri Baptist	4			3	Southeastern (FL)	4
	3	Southeastern (FL)	5(10)

Oklahoma City Bracket

Hosted by Oklahoma City University at Ann Lacy Stadium

	First round					Semifinal					Championship
	1	Oklahoma City (OK)	6
	4	Ottawa (KS)	0
						1	Oklahoma City (OK)	5
						2	Houston–Victoria (TX)	0
	2	Houston–Victoria (TX)	4
	3	Freed–Hardeman (TN)	0
											1	Oklahoma City (OK)	11(5)	–
											4	Ottawa (KS)	1	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round
						2	Houston–Victoria (TX)	2
	4	Ottawa (KS)	2			4	Ottawa (KS)	3
	3	Freed–Hardeman (TN)	1

San Antonio Bracket

Hosted by Our Lady of the Lake University at St. Mary's University Softball Stadium

	First round					Semifinal					Championship
	1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	4
	4	Cottey (MO)	0
						1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	1
						2	Hope International (CA)	0
	2	Hope International (CA)	3
	3	Evangel (MO)	0
											1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	2	–
											2	Hope International (CA)	0	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round
						2	Hope International (CA)	9(5)
	4	Cottey (MO)	6			4	Cottey (MO)	0
	3	Evangel (MO)	5

Sioux Center Bracket

Hosted by Northwestern College at Open Space Park

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Northwestern (IA)	2
	4	Saint Xavier (IL)	4			4	Saint Xavier (IL)	1
	5	Bellevue (NE)	3								1	Northwestern (IA)	3
											2	Madonna (MI)	2
						2	Madonna (MI)	6
						3	Grand View (IA)	3
																1	Northwestern (IA)	2	0
																2	Madonna (MI)	8	1
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											2	Madonna (MI)	7
						4	Saint Xavier (IL)	4			5	Bellevue (NE)	1
	5	Bellevue (NE)	2			5	Bellevue (NE)	6
	3	Grand View (IA)	0

Williamsburg Bracket

Hosted by the University of the Cumberlands at UC Softball Complex

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Championship
						1	Cumberlands (KY)	3
	4	Tennessee Wesleyan	1			5	St. Francis (IL)	1
	5	St. Francis (IL)	3								1	Cumberlands (KY)	5
											2	Benedictine (KS)	1
						2	Benedictine (KS)	2
						3	Coastal Georgia	1
																1	Cumberlands (KY)	7	–
																3	Coastal Georgia	1	–
	First elimination round					Second elimination round					Third elimination round
											2	Benedictine (KS)	1
						5	St. Francis (IL)	4			3	Coastal Georgia	4
	4	Tennessee Wesleyan	1			3	Coastal Georgia	5
	3	Coastal Georgia	7

NAIA Softball World Series

The NAIA Softball World Series was held at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Georgia from May 23 to 29.

Participants

School	Conference	Record	Head Coach	Bracket	Previous NAIA WS Appearances	Best NAIA WS Finish	NAIA WS Record
Central Methodist (MO)	Heart	52-5	Pat Reardon	Fayette	4 (last: 2023)	T-5th (2015)	4-8
Cumberlands (KY)	Mid-South	47-7	Bailey Dillender	Williamsburg	1 (last: 2023)	3rd (2023)	2-2
Georgia Gwinnett	Continental	32-15	Kat Ihlenburg	Lawrenceville	3 (last: 2023)	3rd (2019)	6-6
Jessup (CA)	Golden State	39-10	Brie Campbell	Hattiesburg	none	none	0-0
Madonna (MI)	Wolverine-Hoosier	52-4	Ron Pezzoni	Sioux Center	5 (last: 2021)	T-5th (2021)	7-8
Oklahoma City (OK)	Sooner	54-3	Phil McSpadden	Oklahoma City	33 (last: 2022)	1st (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2022)	135-49
Oregon Tech	Cascade	47-10	Greg Stewart	Klamath Falls	8 (last: 2023)	1st (2011)	22-14
Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	Red River	53-3	Bruce Lenington	San Antonio	1 (last: 2023)	T-9th (2023)	0-2
Science & Arts (OK)	Sooner	47-7	Jadyn Wallis	Chickasha	7 (last: 2023)	1st (2018)	16-14
Southern Oregon	Cascade	40-17	Jessica Pistole	Indianapolis	5 (last: 2023)	1st (2019, 2021)	20-6

Bracket

Source:

	First round Thursday, May 23					First round Thursday, May 23 Second round Friday, May 24					Third round Saturday, May 25					Semifinal Tuesday, May 28										Championship Wednesday, May 29
						1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	3
	8	Madonna (MI)	1			8	Madonna (MI)	0
											1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	3
	9	Georgia Gwinnett	0
											5	Oregon Tech	0
						4	Cumberlands (KY)	1
						5	Oregon Tech	2
																1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	4(8)
																6	Science & Arts (OK)	3
						2	Oklahoma City (OK)	2
	7	Jessup (CA)	5			7	Jessup (CA)	11(5)
											7	Jessup (CA)	4
	10	Southern Oregon	4
											6	Science & Arts (OK)	5
						3	Central Methodist	3
						6	Science & Arts (OK)	8																		1	Our Lady of the Lake (TX)	2	–
																										7	Jessup (CA)	0	–
	First round Friday, May 24 Losers eliminated					Second round Saturday, May 25 Losers eliminated					Third round Monday, May 27 & Tuesday, May 28 Losers eliminated					Fourth round Tuesday, May 28 Loser eliminated					Semifinal Wednesday, May 29
											5	Oregon Tech	4
						2	Oklahoma City (OK)	1			4	Cumberlands (KY)	2								6	Science & Arts (OK)	2
	9	Georgia Gwinnett	0			4	Cumberlands (KY)	4								5	Oregon Tech	3			7	Jessup (CA)	3
	4	Cumberlands (KY)	1(8)													7	Jessup (CA)	4
											7	Jessup (CA)	4
						8	Madonna (MI)	4			8	Madonna (MI)	3
	10	Southern Oregon	3			10	Southern Oregon	3
	3	Central Methodist	2

Game results

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

Championship game

Source:

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

All-Tournament Team

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

Media coverage

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.