Easley, SC (5/25/21): Columbia International University won its first-ever NCCAA Baseball National Championship after knocking off the No. 1 seed, Southwestern Christian University, 11-2. Hernandez started things off for the Rams knocking one out of the park for a homerun to put his team up 1-0 early in the first of the Championship game. The Southwestern Christian Eagles fired back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, but CIU quickly answered with 4 runs in the third. They would go on to score 3 more in the sixth, 3 in the eighth, and added 1 more in the ninth to close things out. Every spot in the lineup contributed a hit, with Bodison leading the way with 3 hits and 4 RBI’s. Justin Parrish pitched 6 innings, striking out 3 and allowing just 2 earned runs and 5 hits.
 
The Rams cruised through pool play, finishing 4-0 and winning Pool B. On the first day of the tournament, Columbia International defeated No. 6 College of the Ozarks 6-2, as Christian Orr came on to pitch the final three innings and picked up the win with 4 strikeouts. The Rams then had a dominant 12-3 win over No. 10 Toccoa Falls College, as Carter Willis hit a home run and drove in 3 RBI’s to lead the way. On day two of pool play, Columbia International won a tight 6-4 contest over No. 2 Concordia University Ann Arbor, as Willis homered again and collected 4 more RBI’s. After a day of rest on Sunday, the Rams defeated No. 7 Kansas Christian College 5-3. Rafael Gonzales was a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate with an RBI, while Shane Hammonds was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI’s. In their semifinal game, the Rams only needed 7 innings to defeat No. 8 Carolina University 10-0 on the run rule. Trent Polly picked up the complete-game shutout win and struck out 3 batters.
 
Columbia International’s Justin Parrish was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. The All-Tournament Team is listed here.
 
Full results with box scores are posted here.