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Go here for the NCAA Division III Central Regional Web Page

Central Regional Team Rosters and Statistics

The Illinois Wesleyan baseball team will face top-seed Buena Vista in the first game of the NCAA Division III Central Regional at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, Swanson Stadium/Brunner Field in Moline, Ill.

The Titans (23-20) are the No. 6 seed in the region and earned the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin automatic bid as a result of winning the CCIW tournament last weekend.

The Titans, now 23-20 this season, will be making their eighth NCAA Division III tournament appearance, fifth in the last seven years and first since 2008. Illinois Wesleyan has an 11-15 overall record in NCAA postseason play and has lost five straight NCAA games.

Buena Vista University is making its first NCAA appearance since 1981 and earned the automatic bid from the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Beavers, with a team batting average of .350 and a team earned run average of 4.19, are led by junior shortstop Brad Blum, who is hitting .399 with 11 doubles, three triples and 22 stolen bases. Senior rightfielder Brandon Pietrzyk is hitting .374 with seven homers and 23 stolen bases and junior catcher Kevin Kloewer is batting .365 with 12 home runs and eight doubles. The Beavers have been successful on 81 of 97 steal attempts (.835). Sophomore Ryan Wuebker is 10-2 on the mound with a 4.32 ERA while junior Luke Probasco is 8-1 with a 3.09 ERA. Go here for Buena Vista statistics.

Other CCIW Teams in Regionals: In addition to IWU, North Central was assigned to the Central Regional and will meet Rose-Hulman in their first round game, The Cardinals were the regular season CCIW champions. Also, Carthage (28-16) received a Pool C berth in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship and was assigned to the Midwest Regional at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Carthage plays No. 2-seed (and defending national champion) U. of St. Thomas (Minn), ranked No. 5 in the nation.

Tickets in Moline: Daily tickets will be sold at the main entrance to Swanson Stadium beginning one hour prior to the first game of the day. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children, seniors and students. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no complimentary admissions.

Wednesday, May 19
Game 1 – Noon; Buena Vista (29-11, #1 seed) vs.Illinois Wesleyan (23-20, #6 seed)
Game 2 – 3:30 p.m.; North Central (31-9, #2 seed) vs. Rose-Hulman (29-12, #5 seed)
Game 3 – 7 p.m.; Ripon (24-15, #3 seed) vs. Webster (33-9, #4 seed)

Thursday, May 20
Game 4 – Noon; Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5 – 3:30 p.m.; Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3
Game 6 – 7 p.m.; Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

If four teams remain after Game 6
Friday, May 21
GAME 7 – Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 @ 12:00 noon
GAME 8 – Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 6 @ 3:30 p.m.
GAME 9 – Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 @ 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GAME 10 – Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9 @ 12:00 noon
GAME 11 – if necessary, same teams as in Game 10 @ 3:00 p.m.

If five teams remain after Game 6
Friday, May 21
GAME 7 – Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 @ 12:00 noon
GAME 8 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 @ 3:30 p.m.
GAME 9 – Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7 @ 7:00 p.m.

If two teams remain after Game 9
Saturday, May 22
GAME 10 – Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 9 @ 12:00 noon
GAME 11 – If necessary, same team as in Game 10 @ 3:00 p.m.

If three teams remain after Game 9
Saturday, May 22
GAME 10 – Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 9 @ 12:00 noon
GAME 11 – Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 @ 3:00 p.m.