The KWU Baseball team wrapped up their organized fall practices last week with the annual Fall World Series. In this event, two coaches on the staff draft all the players onto separate teams. Those teams then faced off in a five-game series to determine a winner.

Graduate assistants Jalen Jones and Blake Maddock served as the head coaches for this year’s draft.

Game 1 

Game 1 kicked off at Dean Evans Stadium on Monday, October 28th. Before the first pitch, head coach Bill Neale addressed both teams, setting expectations for the series. He emphasized the importance of not engaging with the opposing team, noting, “That’s what inferior teams do when they know they can’t win normally.”

Team Jones put up five runs in the bottom half of the fourth, five more in the fifth, and six in the sixth to take a commanding lead. Juniors Drew Wardell and Garrett Garfield led the way with two home runs each. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Kolden Ryberg kept the hitters for Team Maddock quiet. He threw 3.2 innings in relief, only allowing three runs on five hits. 

Game 3

Rain forced the postponement of Game 3 from Wednesday to Thursday, but the rescheduled day turned out perfect for baseball. Team Jones aimed to complete a three-game sweep. Freshman Davin Hinote started on the mound for Team Jones, battling through 2.1 innings and allowing three runs, but he left with the lead after freshman David Wind, Team Maddock’s starter, gave up four runs in the first inning.

Senior Riley Gwin made a huge impact out of the bullpen for Team Jones, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings. Graduate student Joe Finder led the offense with 3 RBIs, including a clutch two-run homer. Team Maddock rallied, closing the gap to one run by the ninth inning. Junior Cruz Oxford stepped up with a chance to tie or win the game but ended the game with a flyout to center field.

Coach Jones got a Gatorade bath afterward and celebrated with his team. He said, “Super proud of y’all for staying locked in and closing it out.” There was no trophy awarded, but the bragging rights were definitely a sweeter reward.