Illinois Wesleyan captured the CCIW championship with a three-game tournament sweep.

Wartburg Captures NCAA Division III Regional Baseball Title

Wartburg College's Knights swept through the NCAA Division III Regional Baseball Tournament on Sunday (May 22), winning a berth in next week's World Series with an 11-3 victory over Edgwood College at Jack Horenberger Field.

Wartburg will open World Series play on Friday, May 27, against Chapman University at 1:15 p.m. at Fox Cities Stadium in Chute, Wis.

After eliminating the host Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday night, Wartburg jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Edgwood and coasted home to its fourth win in a row in the six-team, double-elimination tournament.

Now 35-9 on the season, Wartburg was led offensively by Brandon Steinbacher with two hits, including his sixth home run of the season, and three RBI. Patrick Henderson had three hits and a pair of RBI while Kyle Blacker was four-for-four and scored three runs for the Knights.

Tournament Results and Schedule

All-Tournament Team

Tyler Archer, unbeaten in five decisions on the season, went the first 4 1/3 before giving way to Aaron Saeugling, who picked up the win in relief.

Wartburg defeated the Titans twice in the tournament, but the key game was a 1-0 victory on the tournament's second day when both teams were still unbeaten. In that context, Wartburg's Ryan Moorman outdueled Illinois Wesleyan pitcher Drew Lapinski to get the win. While Moorman did not allow a run, Lapinski suffered the loss despite striking out 18 Knights and allowing just two hits.

Illinois Wesleyan concluded its season with a 34-13 record and the championship of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

NCAA Regional at Illinois Wesleyan