Blackhawks World Series Encore Cut Short
ENID, Okla. - In the first season with at-large bids awarded, the ICCAC's Region 11 runner up Southeastern earned one of the two bids in 2024.
The Blackhawks came to the NJCAA World Series with high hopes after making a run in the World Series last season. The #7 Blackhawks would take on #10 South Arkansas in the opening round matchup. South Arkansas took an early lead scoring two in the top of the third inning. The Blackhawks got two back in the bottom of the fourth off Abrahan Rios's bat that scored Caleb Wulf.
Rios also scored in the fourth inning off a Caleb Klein single that tied the game up 2-2. Both teams traded runs in the sixth inning and South Arkansas scored the go-ahead run in the eight making the score 4-3 and it would hold until the final pitch.
With Southeastern losing in upset fashion in the opening round they had to win to continue on with their season in a game against #3 East Central (Miss.). The Blackhawks sent Mason Behn to the bump for their elimination game.
Behn allowed a run in the second and fourth innings. With Southeastern down 2-0 they were unable to get a runner past second all game -- until the ninth when Kooper Schulte hit a double with one out in the top of the ninth. Schulte advanced to third on a wild pitch then after another wild pitch scored making the score 2-1.
That wasn't enough momentum to get the Blackhawks another run to tie the game. Southeastern fell 2-1 in the first round of the elimination bracket.
Southeastern finished their season 43-18 after falling in two close games in the NJCAA World Series.
First Round:
#10 South Arkansas def. #7 Southeastern, 4-3 - Archived Video - Box Score
Elimination Round One:
#3 East Central (MS) def. #7 Southeastern, 2-1 - Archived Video - Box Score