SURPRISE, Ariz. - The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) announced on Wednesday the full field for the NCCAA Baseball World Series, which is scheduled for May 23 through the 26 in Easley, South Carolina. The OUAZ baseball team was chosen for an at-large spot as the eighth seed in the ten team field.
 
"As you can imagine, our players, coaching staff, and administration are truly excited and grateful for this opportunity to receive an at-large bid to the NCCAA National Tournament in South Carolina," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "This entire year has been truly a blessing for all involved in making our first year in program history a successful one. My players and coaching staff deserve all the credit as they continued to stay together throughout the entire year, especially after a rough start. But after coaching for 30 years, any coach will tell you that you want to be playing your best baseball in the month of May."
 
Montez continued, "The challenge we will have is being off for almost three weeks, but we will be well rested and I expect our guys to come out with a lot of energy and focus in giving their best effort on a national stage. We need to enjoy this, but also understand that at the end of the day it's business as usual."
 
OUAZ finished the regular season with a record of 24-21 and just missed out on qualifying for the NCCAA West Regional. With their winning record however, the Spirit were still alive for an at-large spot into the NCCAA World Series. OUAZ will open up pool play on next Wednesday May 23^rd at 2pm EST/11am Arizona time against the #1 seed Biola University. Wednesday and Friday's games will be played at the JB "Red" Owens Sports Complex, while Thursdays games will be played at Easley High School.
 
On Thursday, the Spirit open up against #5 seed Concordia University Ann Arbor (MI) at 10am EST/7am Arizona time, followed by a game against #9 seed Bluefield College at 4pm EST/1pm Arizona time.
 
OUAZ closes out pool play on Friday morning at 11am EST/8am Arizona time against #4 seed Southwestern Christian University. The semifinals are scheduled for later Friday evening at 5pm EST and 8pm EST, followed by the championship game on Saturday at 1pm EST.


 
The field includes five region winners who are: Colorado Christian University (Central Region), Bluefield College (Mideast Region), Concordia University Ann Arbor (Midwest Region), Warner University (South Region), and Biola University (West Region).
 
The five at-large bids went to OUAZ, the University of Saint Katherine, Hiwassee College, Southwestern Christian University, and Campbellsville University.
 

Pool A
Seed	School	City, State	Qualifying Method
#1	Biola University	La Mirada, CA	West Region Champion
#4	Southwestern Christian University	Bethany, OK	At-Large Selection
#5	Concordia University Ann Arbor	Ann Arbor, MI	Midwest Region Representative
#8	Ottawa University Arizona	Surprise, AZ	At-Large Selection
#9	Bluefield College	Bluefield, VA	Mideast Region Champion
Pool B
#2	Colorado Christian University	Lakewood, CO	Central Region Champion
#3	Campbellsville University	Campbellsville, KY	At-Large Selection
#6	University of Saint Katherine	San Marcos, CA	At-Large Selection
#7	Warner University	Lake Wales, FL	South Region Champion
#10	Hiwassee College	Madisonville, TN	At-Large Selection

 
 
The only school in the World Series that OUAZ has faced this season is the University of Saint Katherine. The Firebirds and Spirit split their season series, three games apiece. OUAZ has not played a game since concluding the regular season back on April 28 at San Diego Christian College.
 
Teams will complete their Christian Service Project on Tuesday, May 22 by serving at local churches in Easley, SC. Pool play begins on Wednesday, May 23 and concludes on Friday, May 25. The semifinals will be played on May 25 with the championship game on Saturday, May 26 at 1:00pm EST.
 
Click here for more information on the Baseball World Series, held at JB "Red" Owens Sports Complex and Easley High School in Easley, SC.
 
   
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.