Three teams from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) have received bids into the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship after UW-La Crosse, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater earned spots into this year’s 56-team field.
The Warhawks (36-7) claimed an automatic bid by winning the WIAC tournament title, while UW-La Crosse (26-16) and UW-Stevens Point (29-11) were awarded two of the 16 available at-large spots.
Whitewater and La Crosse will compete in regional competition hosted by UW-Whitewater starting Wednesday at Whitewater. Also in the six-team, double-elimination event will also include: Heidelberg College (Ohio) (31-11); Concordia University-Chicago (Ill.) (35-7); Adrian College (Mich.) (30-13) and St. Norbert College (Wis.) (23-14). Whitewater, making its 17th NCAA appearance, will open against St. Norbert, while UW-La Crosse will face Concordia-Chicago. The Eagles are appearing in their third NCAA championship.
UW-Stevens Point will travel to McMinnville, Oregon, for its six-team, double-elimination regional that also begins on Wednesday and will be hosed by defending NCAA Champion Linfield College. The Pointers, making their 15th NCAA showing, will face Trinity in their opening contest.
Winners of the eight regional tournaments will qualify for the double-elimination championship at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, May 23-27. The event is co-hosted by UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence University (Wis.).