Division II World Series Kicks Off

CARY, N.C.—The eight teams in the Division II College World Series when Saturday began had eight different narratives.

The group is diverse, consisting of returning powerhouses, first-timers and everything in between. Even so, there was some common ground.

Timely heroics were the key for the teams representing the East and West regions.

Maxx Sheehan for the East’s Franklin Pierce, and Jacob Bernardy for Cal Poly Pomona each launched their first home runs of the season to clinch a birth for their respective teams.

Franklin Pierce will be making its eighth trip to the finals looking for its first NCAA title, while Cal Poly has its sights set on taking home a fourth title.

One region—the South—has been fairly mundane since the tournament arrived in Cary back in 2009. The Tampa Spartans have been here four of the six years, including each of the past three.

But this year—for the first time since 2012—there is a new team representing the South in the DII World Series. Nova Southeastern (Fla.) is making its first appearance in the World Series. Led by power threat Brandon Gomez, dynamic backstop Michael Hernandez and electric closer Devin Raftery, the Sharks are looking to make a splash.

Unlike Nova SE, the Southeastern representatives are no strangers to this event. Lander (S.C.) will be playing in its second World Series in the past three years. The Bearcats come in with an impressive resume, with five players with 12 or more home runs, scoring right at 8.5 runs per game this season while amassing 90 home runs as a team. This has allowed the team to get ahead for bullpen anchor Brandon White (3-2, 0.99, 13 SV).

Another team with experience at the championship level is representing the Midwest in Cary. Southern Indiana is making its second consecutive trip to the World Series. Southern Indiana rides its starters, evidenced by 13 complete games this year. The consistency of outfielder Kyle Kempf and catcher Ryan Bertram could help this team pull out the close games.

Central Missouri, the Central champ, boasts 17 Central and two national titles, but will be playing for the title for the first time since 2011. Mules first baseman Bennett Oliver comes into Cary with 24 home runs and 57 RBIs.

The last two teams that gained entry both clinched their third regional title this year—Angelo State (Texas) from the South Central, and Millersville (Pa.) from the Atlantic.

Millersville knocked out Angelo State early Saturday behind junior righthander Brandon Miller (No. 225 on the BA 500). Miller went the distance Saturday for the shutout in 1-0 win, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out eight. In his two tournament starts this season, Miller has allowed one run while striking out 19 over 18 innings.

The only run scored on an Angelo State wild pitch in the seventh.

Jeremy Musser started a one-out rally in the seventh with a single and a stolen base. He moved up to third on a ground ball by David Summerfield and scored when Angelo State starter Zach Bryce skipped a ball past the catcher on what was ball four to Ted Williams.