(Kansas City, MO) – The Concordia Cardinals softball team is returning to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Softball World Series this week as they look to defend their World Series title after being crowned champions in 2023. 

The tournament features eight teams from across the country the teams have to battle through a double-elimination bracket to become the champions. 

GAME INFORMATION

#1 Concordia Cardinals vs. #8 Kansas Christian College | May 14 | 12 PM | Motley Field

Live Video ($) | Bracket

ABOUT THE FALCONS

The Kansas Christian College Falcons enter the tournament as the host bid and enter with a 9-20 overall record. 

The Falcons are led offensively by Josie Day who has a 0.310 batting average and has a team-high 24 RBIs. Cheerie Green has 38 hits on the season. Lauren Shafer has recorded 5 home runs on the season. 

Josie Day also leads the team in pitching ERA at 5.30 in 76.2 innings and struck out 60 batters. Jaden Adams has five wins on the season. 

Kansas Christian is coached by TaraLee McReynolds.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS

The Concordia Cardinals enter the tournament as the Midwest Region Representative with a 38-15 overall record.

The Cardinal offense is headed by Shannon McAlinden who leads the team in hits (80), doubles (24), batting average (0.460), and stolen bases (35). Katie Tobias has recorded a team-high eight home runs and 53 RBIs. She is tied with Cassidy Kane with 58 hits apiece. 

Emilee Underwood leads the team with 17 wins on the season as well as recording a 1.87 ERA in 150 innings and has struck out 136 batters. Paige Anderson is second on the team with 14 wins in 122.1 innings, 3.03 ERA, and 82 strikeouts. 

The Cardinals are coached by Hailey Cavanagh.

LATEST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE

The Cardinals went 4-1 en route to their third NCCAA World Series title last season. The Cards were led by the pitching staff who pitched three shutouts only allowing seven total runs. 

The title game saw CUAA pick up a 8-1 win over Trinity Christian. Paige Anderson pitched a complete game, allowing four baserunners and striking out six batters. 

The offense was led by Koryn Playford with a pair of solo home runs and Jada Stephenson recorded three RBIs.  

REST OF FIELD

The second-seeded Southwestern Christian Eagles are the Central Region Representative and come in with a record of 26-25.

The #3 University of Fort Lauderdale is the South Regional Champion and enters the tournament with a 26-22 record. 

The fourth-seeded Oakland City Mighty Oaks are an at-large selection into the tournament and have a 29-24 record on the season.

The fifth-seed Geneva College Golden Tornadoes are also an at-large selection and have a 28-18 record on the year.

#6 Kentucky Christian is the Mideast Regional Champion and has a 17-26 record.

#7 Dallas Christian is making their first appearance in the tournament and won the Independent bracket and has a 20-24 record on the season.

2024 NCCAA World Series Schedule

*Lower seed will play in G13 and higher seed will play in G12. Higher seed is defined as team with a seed value closer to one.

**Loser Game 13 if WG11 loses G13. Loser Game 14 if WG11 wins G13 and loses G14.