Bryan, Reinhardt Make to NAIA Opening Round Finals

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Bryan and Reinhardt each advanced to their respective NAIA Baseball Opening Round championship rounds before seeing their seasons end on Wednesday.

In the Montgomery Bracket, Reinhardt eliminated top-seeded Ottawa (Kan.) 7-4 to advance to the championship round. Down 1-0, Reinhardt scored two in the fourth, three in the fifth, and two more in the sixth in grabbing a 7-2 lead. Ottawa scored twice in the seventh but could not rally back.

Dawson Johns blasted a three-run home run in the win.

Reinhardt then took on host and No. 2 seed Faulkner in the finale. Faulkner jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back. Reinhardt pulled back within 4-3 after two innings. Yet, Faulkner went on to take the 11-8 win to advance to the NAIA World Series.

In the Upland Bracket, Bryan used two three-run rallies to propel itself past Northwestern Ohio 7-4 to advance to the championship round. Bass Cooper belted a three-run home run in the win.

Bryan then faced top-seeded Southeastern in the finale. The Fire steadily built a 9-1 lead and never looked back. The Lions scored twice in the seventh and ninth but could not close the gap. Mark Thornhill went 2-for-2 with two RBI.

For a complete look at the opening rounds, click here.