After more than three decades of waiting, the Wittenberg Tigers are finally heading back to the big dance. For the first time since 1994, the Wittenberg baseball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament, and the excitement is palpable.
The Tigers (31-11) received an at-large bid when the 64-team bracket was announced on Monday, May 11. Their journey begins this Friday, May 15, against Webster University (30-14) in Adrian, Michigan, with game time still to be determined. It's a monumental moment for a program that has been building toward this for years.
"Today is an exciting day for our program," said Wittenberg Head Coach Mitchell Griffiths in a press release. "Finally breaking through and earning a spot in the NCAA Regional for the first time in over 30 years is truly special. I'm incredibly happy for our current players, as well as all the former players who helped build this program and put us in this position. We're looking forward to heading to Adrian and competing against three outstanding teams for a regional championship."
Webster punched their ticket by winning the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament, setting up a compelling opening-round matchup. But the Tigers' path won't get any easier from there. The Adrian Regional also features host Adrian College (31-10) squaring off against fellow North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival DePauw University (28-13).
For fans who love a good underdog story, this tournament has all the makings of a classic. The double-elimination format means every pitch counts, and the regional winners will advance to best-of-three Super Regionals. If Wittenberg can navigate through Adrian, potential Super Regional opponents include the University of Scranton, Bridgewater College (Va.), the University of Chicago, and Washington & Jefferson University.
The Tigers enter the tournament riding high in the national rankings—sitting at No. 13 in the Division III Baseball Coaches Poll last week. However, they're coming off a tough 14-8 loss to top-ranked Denison in the NCAC tournament on Saturday. Denison (40-1) extended their dynasty by winning a seventh straight conference title, and they've had Wittenberg's number this season, also taking two regular-season games by scores of 8-7 and 13-12 back in April.
Despite the setback, four Wittenberg players earned all-tournament honors: junior first baseman Xander Rodriguez, senior second baseman Tommy Chilicki, freshman designated hitter Corbin Marshall, and senior third baseman Alex Nemunaitus. Their leadership and grit will be crucial as the Tigers look to make noise on the national stage.
Wittenberg fans with a sense of history will remember the last time their team made this run. In 1994, the Tigers beat Marietta and then-host Wooster before falling twice to Wooster in the regional final. Now, 32 years later, a new generation has a chance to write their own chapter.
Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to the Tigers' story, this is the kind of season that reminds us why we love sports. And for those looking to gear up in Wittenberg colors as they chase a championship, there's no better time to show your pride.