NCAA DII Championship Starts with Two Exciting Matchups for Canadian Fans
By CollegeBaseba12, text assisted by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
May 30, 2024
The highly anticipated NCAA DII Championship is set to commence this weekend at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Running from June 1 to June 8, this year's tournament promises intense competition with a two-loss elimination format featuring eight formidable teams vying for the national title.
For Canadian baseball enthusiasts, the championship starts with two matchups highlighting Canadian talent. On Saturday, June 1, the top-seeded Central Missouri Mules will face off against the eighth-seeded Angelo State Rams. Central Missouri's roster boasts Adamo Stornello, a standout catcher from Montreal, Quebec. Stornello has been exceptional this season, batting .379 over 22 games with 22 hits, including 1 home run, 3 doubles, 14 RBIs, 9 runs, and 2 stolen bases. His performance has been instrumental in securing the Mules' top seed.
On Sunday, June 2, the second-seeded Tampa Spartans will clash with the seventh-seeded UIndy Greyhounds, featuring a trio of Canadian players. Tampa's right-handed pitcher Drew Howard from Whitby, Ontario, has made a notable impact with 3 saves in 14 appearances, tallying 15.2 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.45, earning him the #5 ranking in Canadian saves in NCAA Division II.
UIndy's lineup includes two pitchers from Toronto, Ontario: left-handed pitcher Bennett Rogers and right-handed pitcher Ryan O'Born. Rogers has shown promise in his 4 appearances, striking out 7 batters over 4.2 innings pitched. These matchups are not only crucial for the tournament but also offer an exciting showcase of Canadian talent making waves in NCAA Division II baseball.
Tournament Teams Ranked
- Central Missouri Mules
- Tampa Spartans
- Catawba Chiefs
- Point Loma Sea Lions
- Indiana (PA) Crimson Hawks
- Southern New Hampshire Penmen
- UIndy Greyhounds
- Angelo State Rams
Key Matchups for Canadian Fans
- June 1: Central Missouri Mules (#1) vs. Angelo State Rams (#8)
- June 2: UIndy Greyhounds (#7) vs. Tampa Spartans (#2)
Canadian Players to Watch
- Adamo Stornello (Central Missouri, Montreal, QC) - Catcher: Batting .379 with 22 hits, 14 RBIs.
- Drew Howard (Tampa, Whitby, ON) - Right-Handed Pitcher: 3 saves, 14 strikeouts, 3.45 ERA.
- Bennett Rogers (UIndy, Toronto, ON) - Left-Handed Pitcher: 7 strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
- Ryan O'Born (UIndy, Toronto, ON) - Right-Handed Pitcher.
Don't miss these exciting matchups as the NCAA DII Championship kicks off, offering thrilling baseball action and a chance to support some of Canada's rising stars in collegiate baseball.
