Southland Conference baseball tournament

Last updated
Southland Conference Baseball Tournament
Conference Baseball Championship
Sport Baseball
Conference Southland Conference
Number of teams7
Format Double-elimination tournament
Current stadium Joe Miller Ballpark
Current location Lake Charles, Louisiana
Played1964–1968, 1993–present
Last contest 2024
Current champion Nicholls (3)
Most championships Sam Houston (6)
TV partner(s) ESPN+
Official website Southland.org Baseball

The Southland Conference baseball tournament is the conference championship tournament in baseball for the Southland Conference. The winner of the tournament receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

Contents

Tournament

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is a double-elimination tournament held annually at various locations in the Southland Conference region. The tournament field has grown from three teams in 1964 to eight teams prior to 2022. Following the departure of five members in 2021, all remaining conference members participated in the tournament (unless banned due to NCAA sanctions) in 2022. In 2023, the seven highest teams participated in the tournament. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Other teams have to hope for an at-large bid. [1]

History

The Southland Conference tournament began in 1964. The number of annual tournament participants has changed several times over the life of the tournament. From 1964 through 1966 the tournament consisted of three teams. In 1967 and 1968 the tournament expanded to a four-team double-elimination tournament. This was all that constituted conference play for those seasons.

From 1969 until 1992, the Southland Conference did not have a baseball tournament. In some seasons, a championship series was held between division champions.

In 1993, the conference began holding a baseball tournament again. From 1993 through 1995, the tournament was a four team double-elimination tournament., [2]

In 1996, it expanded to become a six team double-elimination tournament and remained that way until 2007. [3]

In 2008, the tournament once again expanded and became an eight team double-elimination tournament. [4]

In 2012, two brackets of four teams were added in a double-elimination format. The winner of each bracket plays in a championship game. [5] This facilitates a television broadcast of the final.

After five schools left the conference following the 2021 season, the tournament format was changed for 2022. The top two seeds hosted double-elimination tournaments that each involved four teams. The winner from each site will advanced to a best-of-3 final hosted by the top surviving seed. [6]

Starting in 2023, the event moved to Joe Miller Ballpark on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, reportedly as part of a deal that kept McNeese in the Southland after it had been courted by Conference USA and nearly joined the Western Athletic Conference. The agreement with McNeese initially runs for four years, with McNeese having the right of first refusal to continue as host after 2026. [7] The tournament format in 2023 included seven teams beginning with a single-elimination game followed by a 6 team double elimination. Two teams did not qualify for the tournament with the new format.

The baseball tournament venue returned to an annual bidding process for 2024 following the men's and women's basketball tournaments venue extension in Lake Charles. The baseball tournament returned to Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in Hammond, Louisiana for 2024. [8] In 2024, the tournament returned to two brackets of four teams in a double-elimination format. The winner of each bracket played in the championship game. One team did not qualify for the tournament.

Champions

By year

Southland Conference baseball tournament (1964–1968, 1993–present)
YearSchoolSiteMVP
1964 Trinity ACC Field • Abilene, Texas
1965 Trinity Jonesboro, Arkansas
1966 Trinity Turnpike Stadium • Arlington, Texas [9]
1967 Arkansas State Price Daniel Field • Beaumont, Texas [10]
1968 Arkansas State Arlington, Texas
No tournament held (1969–1992)
1993 McNeese State Brown–Stroud Field • Natchitoches, Louisiana Clint Gould, McNeese State
1994 UTSA Brown–Stroud Field • Natchitoches, Louisiana Scott Pederson, UT San Antonio
1995 Louisiana–Monroe Fair Grounds Field • Shreveport, Louisiana Stacey Wilcox, Louisiana–Monroe
1996 Sam Houston State Fair Grounds Field • Shreveport, Louisiana Brent Bubela, Sam Houston State
1997 Texas State Warhawk Field • Monroe, Louisiana Jeremy Fikac, Texas State
1998 Nicholls State Fair Grounds Field • Shreveport, Louisiana Jacques Jobert, Nicholls State
1999 Texas State Warhawk Field • Monroe, Louisiana Matt Mize, UT Arlington
2000 Texas State Warhawk Field • Monroe, Louisiana Shane Webb, Louisiana-Monroe
2001 Texas–Arlington Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, Texas K. J. Hendricks, UT Arlington
2002 Lamar Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, Texas Clay Hensley, Lamar
2003 McNeese State Warhawk Field • Monroe, Louisiana Rusty Begnaud, McNeese State
2004 Lamar Alumni Field • Hammond, Louisiana Jordan Foster, Lamar
2005 UTSA Brown–Stroud Field • Natchitoches, Louisiana Ryan Crew, UT San Antonio
2006 Texas–Arlington Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, Texas Ryan Riddle, UT Arlington
2007 Sam Houston State Brown–Stroud Field • Natchitoches, Louisiana Luke Prihoda, Sam Houston State
2008 Sam Houston State Don Sanders Stadium • Huntsville, Texas Bobby Verbick, Sam Houston State
2009 Sam Houston State Whataburger Field • Corpus Christi, Texas Matt Shelton, Sam Houston State
2010 Lamar Whataburger Field • Corpus Christi, TexasAnthony Moore, Lamar
2011 Texas State Bobcat Ballpark • San Marcos, Texas Casey Kalenkosky, Texas State
2012 Texas–Arlington Bobcat Ballpark • San Marcos, Texas Travis Sibley, UT Arlington
2013 Central Arkansas Constellation Field • Sugar Land, Texas Forrestt Allday, Central Arkansas
2014 Southeastern Louisiana Bear Stadium • Conway, Arkansas [11] Tate Scioneaux, Southeastern Louisiana
2015 Houston Baptist Constellation Field • Sugar Land, Texas [11] Curtis Jones, Houston Baptist
2016 Sam Houston State Constellation Field • Sugar Land, Texas [11] Heath Donica, Sam Houston State
2017 Sam Houston State Constellation Field • Sugar Land, TexasRobie Rojas, Sam Houston State
2018 Northwestern State Constellation Field • Sugar Land, TexasDavid Fry, Northwestern State
2019 McNeese State [12] Constellation Field • Sugar Land, TexasAidan Anderson, McNeese State
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 McNeese [13] Alumni Field • Hammond, LouisianaClayton Rasbeary, McNeese
2022 Southeastern Louisiana Campus sites of top two seeds [6] Preston Faulkner, Southeastern Louisiana
2023 Nicholls Joe Miller Ballpark • Lake Charles, Louisiana Xane Washington, Nicholls
2024 Nicholls Alumni Field • Hammond, Louisiana [8] Basiel Williams, Nicholls

By school

Updated through 2024 Tournament. [14] [15] [16]

SchoolAppearancesW-LPctTourney TitlesTitle YearsNotes
Sam Houston 1739–23.6296 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017 Left conference in 2021.
McNeese 2029–31.4834 1993, 2003, 2019, 2021
Texas State 1735–28.5564 1997, 1999, 2000, 2011 Left conference in 2012.
Lamar 2036–34.5143 2002, 2004, 2010 Left conference in 1987. Returned in 1999. Left conference again in 2021. Returned in 2022.
Nicholls 917–11.6073 1998, 2023, 2024
Texas–Arlington 1528–26.5193 2001, 2006, 2012 Left conference in 2012.
Trinity 512–6.6673 1964, 1965, 1966 Left conference in 1972.
Southeastern Louisiana 1424–26.4802 2014, 2022 Joined conference in 1997.
UTSA 1219–20.4872 1994, 2005 Left conference in 2012.
Arkansas State 511–6.6472 1967, 1968 Left conference in 1987.
Northwestern State 2328–43.3941 2018
Houston Christian 310–4.7141 2015 Joined conference in 2013.
Louisiana–Monroe 1016–17.4851 1995 Left conference in 2006.
Central Arkansas 613–10.5651 2013 Joined conference in 2006. Left conference in 2021.
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 913–17.4330Joined conference in 2006.
Stephen F. Austin 77–14.3330Left conference in 2021; returning in 2024.
New Orleans 59–9.5000Joined conference in 2014.
UIW 45-8.3850Joined conference in 2013.
Abilene Christian 62–12.1430Left conference in 1973. Returned in 2013. Left conference again in 2021.
Oral Roberts 12–2.5000Conference member from 2012–2014.

See also

Southland Conference softball tournament

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The Southland Conference's men's basketball tournament began in 1981, with the winner of the tournament receiving the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

The 2014 Southland Conference baseball tournament was held from May 21 through 24. The top eight regular season finishers of the league's fourteen teams met in the double-elimination tournament held at Bear Stadium on the campus of Central Arkansas University in Conway, Arkansas. The event returned to a campus environment for one year before again being played at neutral Sugar Land, Texas, in 2015 and 2016. Southeastern Louisiana won their first tournament championship and earned the conference's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

The 2015 Southland Conference baseball tournament was held from May 20 through 23. The top eight regular season finishers of the league's ten teams met in the double-elimination tournament held at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The event returned to Sugar Land as part of a two season contract after one season on campus. The winner of the tournament, Houston Baptist, earns the conference's automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word are ineligible for postseason play as they transition from Division II.

The 1996 NCAA Division I baseball season, play of college baseball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) began in the spring of 1996. The season progressed through the regular season and concluded with the 1996 College World Series. The College World Series, held for the fiftieth time in 1996, consisted of one team from each of eight regional competitions and was held in Omaha, Nebraska, at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium as a double-elimination tournament. LSU claimed the championship for the third time.

The Southland Conference softball tournament is the conference championship tournament in college softball for the Southland Conference (SLC). It is a double-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I softball tournament.

The 2018 Southland Conference tournament was held at Joe Miller Field on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from May 8 through 11, 2018. The tournament winner earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Division I softball tournament. The Championship game was broadcast on ESPNU. The remainder of the tournament aired on the Southland Digital Network.

The 2019 Southland Conference baseball tournament was held from May 23 through 25. The top eight regular season finishers of the league's thirteen teams met in the double-elimination tournament held at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The winner of the tournament, McNeese State, earned the conference's automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

The 2003 Southland Conference baseball tournament was held from May 21 through 23, 2003 to determine the champion of the Southland Conference in the sport of college baseball for the 2003 season. The event pitted the top six finishers from the conference's regular season in a double-elimination tournament held at Warhawk Field, home field of Louisiana–Monroe in Monroe, Louisiana. Sixth-seeded McNeese State won their second overall championship and claimed the automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

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The 2019 Southland Conference tournament was held at Lady Demon Diamond on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, from May 7 through 10, 2019. The tournament winner, Sam Houston State, earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Division I softball tournament. The Championship game was broadcast on ESPNU. The remainder of the tournament aired on the Southland Digital Network.

The 2022 Southland Conference baseball tournament was held from May 19 through 21 and May 26 to 28. The top eight regular season finishers of the league's thirteen teams met in the double-elimination tournament. McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana were the top two seeds in the conference, so all first-round games were played at Joe Miller Ballpark in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in Hammond, Louisiana. The finals were held Miller Park in Lake Charles.

The 2023 Southland Conference tournament was held at Joe Miller Field on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from May 9 through 13, 2023. The tournament winner, McNeese, earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division I softball tournament. All games were broadcast on ESPN+.

The 2023 Southland Conference tournament was held at Joe Miller Ballpark on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from May 23 through 27, 2023. The tournament winner, Nicholls, earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division I baseball tournament.

The 2022 Southland Conference tournament was held at North Oak Park in Hammond, Louisiana, from May 10 through 13, 2022. The tournament winner, McNeese, earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division I softball tournament. All games were broadcast on ESPN+.

The 2021 Southland Conference tournament was held at North Oak Park in Hammond, Louisiana, from May 11 through 14, 2021. The tournament winner, McNeese, earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA Division I softball tournament. All games were broadcast on ESPN+.

The 2024 Southland Conference women's basketball tournament is the postseason women's basketball championship for the Southland Conference. The tournament is taking place at The Legacy Center on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana March 11–14, 2024. The Legacy Center will be the home of the tournament through 2029. The tournament winner will receive an automatic invitation to the 2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

The 1983 Southland Conference tournament was held at the Beaumont Athletic Complex in Beaumont, Texas The tournament was the conference's first. McNeese State won the six team tournament. McNeese State's season ended with the tournament championship as the Cowgirls were not one of the eight teams selected to the compete in the 1983 NCAA Division I softball tournament.

The 2024 Southland Conference tournament was held at North Oak Park in Hammond, Louisiana from May 7 through 10, 2024. The tournament winner, Southeastern Louisiana earned the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Division I softball tournament. All games were be broadcast on ESPN+.

References

  1. ↑ "Southland Baseball" (PDF). Southland Conference. pp. 35–39. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Southland Baseball - Year-by-Year Tournament Results" (PDF). Southland Conference. p. 36.
  3. ↑ "Southland Baseball - Year-by-Year Tournament Results" (PDF). Southland Conference. pp. 36–37.
  4. ↑ "Southland Baseball - Year-by-Year Tournament Results" (PDF). Southland Conference. pp. 37–39.
  5. ↑ "Southland Baseball - Year-by-Year Tournament Results" (PDF). Southland Conference. p. 38.
  6. 1 2 Courtney Archer (May 14, 2022). "McNeese, Southeastern to host first week of Southland Conference Baseball Tournament". Crescent City Sports Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  7. ↑ Gazzolo, Jim (November 9, 2021). "McNeese sticks with Southland in move that will bring millions in for SW La. tourism". American Press. Lake Charles, LA. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Southland Conference Baseball and Softball Championships Return to SLU in 2024". Southeastern Louisiana Athletics. August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Tiger Netters, Baseball Team Favored To Keep Southland Conference Titles". San Antonio Express. May 12, 1966. p. 3D.
  10. ↑ "Sports Festival Set Here May 11–13". John and Mary Gray Library – Lamar University (Digital Collection). The Redbird. May 5, 1967. Retrieved April 11, 2016. The conference track meet will start at 2 p.m. Friday and the baseball tourney will get underway Thursday at 10 a.m. at Price Daniel Field
  11. 1 2 3 "Southland Baseball Tournament Returns to Sugar Land". Southland Conference. August 22, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  12. ↑ Richard Dean (May 25, 2019). "McNeese State wins Southland baseball tournament". Hearst Newspapers, LLC. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ "McNeese Claims Second-Straight Southland Baseball Tournament Title" (Press release). Southland Conference. May 29, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. ↑ Southland Baseball (PDF). Southland Conference. pp. 35–44. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "2021 Southland Baseball Tournament". Southland Conference. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  16. ↑ "(1) Nicholls wins first Southland Baseball Championship title since 1998 with 6-3 victory over (4) New Orleans". Southland Conference. May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
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