2025 GLVC Baseball Championship Preview
- Will Conerly
- May 6
- 9 min read
Eight teams. Five days. One trophy. The GLVC Baseball Championship returns to Mt. Dew Park in Marion, Illinois, May 7–11, featuring a deep field of contenders chasing both hardware and potential regional bids. With a double-elimination format and a neutral-site setting, anything can happen. Here’s how the bracket stacks up — and what you need to know before the first pitch.
🏆 Tournament Seeds & First Round Matchups (Wednesday, May 7)
🔥 Team-By-Team Breakdown
#1 Lewis (36-14, 24-8 GLVC)
The regular-season champs are looking to turn their 28th conference tournament appearance into a sixth league title. The Flyers swept UMSL earlier this season and have the most balanced profile in the bracket. They boast experience, depth, and a history of postseason success. A first-round matchup against a scrappy UMSL squad awaits.
24-8 GLVC mark; swept UMSL in March
28th appearance, 5-time champion
Balanced roster with depth at every position and a pitching staff that’s among the stingiest in the league
Winners of every series since mid-March, UIS enters the postseason red-hot. Matt Kattula is a hitting machine (.399 AVG, 76 hits), while Ivan Dahlberg brings the thunder with 14 homers. The Prairie Stars' .321 team batting average ranks second in the GLVC, and they sit fourth in ERA (5.80). They’ll try to get past a pesky S&T squad that they’ve dominated lately — including a wild 25-24 shootout earlier this season. UIS has won 12 straight against the Miners.
Beyond the stars, Illinois Springfield’s depth stands out — five players with double-digit multi-hit games, four regulars hitting over .325, and a bullpen anchored by Seth Masters, whose 1.69 ERA and nine saves are among the league’s best. With six different pitchers recording wins during their current stretch, the Prairie Stars have multiple ways to beat you. They’ve got the arms to hang in tight games and the bats to win a slugfest — and this tournament has featured both in recent years.
Returned to form after missing 2024
9th GLVC appearance
Elite arms and explosive offense make UIS a serious title threat
#3 Maryville (33-16, 21-9 GLVC), Reigning Champs
This team has shown all year that it belongs among the conference’s elite. The Saints swept Missouri S&T, UIndy, and UMSL this season and have series wins over Illinois Springfield and Drury. With a pitching staff that can keep games close and a deep lineup that knows how to manufacture runs, Maryville could be the sleeper pick to make a deep run.
First title came just last year
Strong finish to 2025 season and took 3-of-4 from Quincy recently
Veteran core knows how to win in May
#4 Drury (31-21, 21-11 GLVC)
The Panthers roll into Marion with serious momentum: winners of six straight and 10 of their last 12. Their lineup is potent — freshman Jackson Crider leads the GLVC with a .429 average, and Wyatt Morgan is coming off a monster week (.636 AVG, 3 HR). Ace Cody Bahl has fanned 30 over his last 21.2 innings. They’ve already taken three of four from UIndy this season. Drury’s offense ranks among the league’s best in batting average, home runs, and on-base percentage, with five regulars hitting over .300. Leadoff man Luke Matschiner adds speed to the mix with 23 steals, while Connor Bain and Crider provide thump in the heart of the order. In the bullpen, Luc Fuller has been lights out — a 0.46 ERA with seven saves in 12 appearances. The Panthers are experienced in tournament play and are hungry after falling just short in the title game a year ago.
Always dangerous in May; 3 GLVC titles
Won series over UIndy this year
14th tournament appearance, looking to end an 11-year title drought
#5 Indianapolis (29-20, 20-11 GLVC)
The Greyhounds can mash. Austin Bode (.419 AVG, 22 doubles) and Cole Hampton (13 HR) headline one of the most dangerous lineups in the league, helping UIndy rank third in the GLVC in team batting average (.322) and second in slugging (.529). The Hounds also lead the league in home runs (81) and extra-base hits (190), showcasing their power throughout the lineup.
Despite dropping their regular-season series to Drury in April—three close games decided by three runs or fewer—UIndy enters the tournament battle-tested. They've faced every other team in the field except Lewis and boast a resume that includes wins over Maryville, Quincy, and Missouri S&T. On the mound, Brody Duncan (3.82 ERA, 70 Ks) leads the starting rotation, while Nate Talhelm (2.70 ERA, 6 saves) anchors a solid bullpen.
With five straight GLVC tournament appearances and two straight NCAA regional berths, the Greyhounds are chasing their league-leading seventh GLVC title. They'll look to avenge the April series loss to Drury in a high-stakes opener that could impact both teams’ NCAA tournament hopes.
Most decorated active GLVC program with 6 titles
29th tournament appearance
Well-rounded and always prepared under pressure
#6 Quincy (28-20, 18-14 GLVC)
Quincy makes its 14th straight GLVC Tournament appearance — the longest active streak in the league. It’s familiar territory for the Hawks, who are postseason bound for the 14th straight year and the 21st time in program history. Quincy locked in the No. 6 seed and heads to Marion, Illinois, to battle third-seeded Maryville in a first-round rematch of last year’s GLVC title game. First pitch is scheduled for Wednesday at 12:30 PM CT from Mountain Dew Park. These two clubs met earlier this spring at QU Stadium, where Maryville took three of four in a hard-fought series. Quincy walked off the opener on an Isaiah Fudge homer in the 14th, but the Saints’ pitching clamped down the rest of the weekend. The Hawks managed just one run across the next two games, then watched a late Maryville surge turn the finale into a slugfest loss. Still, Quincy showed flashes of the firepower that’s defined its season. The Hawks' offense remains one of the most explosive in the league. Behind sluggers Matt Mateo and David Broughton, Quincy ranks top-five in GLVC play in runs scored (240), hits (309), home runs (52), slugging percentage (.521), total bases (524), and stolen bases (65). When this offense is clicking, no lead is safe. On the mound, the staff is coming off its best weekend of the season, holding Truman State to just six earned runs in a four-game sweep. The ace-in-the-hole could be Roman Harrison, who has been lights-out since sliding into the rotation. In six GLVC starts, Harrison has spun a 3.15 ERA over 37.2 innings with 42 strikeouts, and he could be a key weapon later in the tournament. Quincy has a championship pedigree and revenge on its mind. After Maryville crushed their Cinderella run in last year’s final with an 11-1 win, the Hawks are hunting another deep run — and their sixth GLVC title in program history.
Back-to-back title game appearances in '23 and '24
Won it all in 2023, runner-up in 2024
21st overall appearance, have some of the most experienced hitters in the league
#7 Missouri S&T (27-22, 17-15 GLVC)
The Miners are fresh off a series win over Lincoln, outscoring the Blue Tigers 46–17 and erupting for a 22–1 victory in Saturday’s doubleheader. Drew Baugus (.385 AVG) and Will Beckham (.392 AVG, 1.182 OPS) power a lineup that ranks third in the GLVC in team batting average (.315) and is capable of putting up runs in bunches. Garrett Meyer adds consistency with 57 hits and 15 doubles, while Beckham leads the squad with seven home runs. On the mound, Jake Schisler (3.98 ERA) ranks fourth in the league, and the S&T staff leads the GLVC with a 5.56 team ERA. Ethan Morrow (52 Ks) and Dylan Bates (50 Ks) lead the rotation, while Bode Gebbink and Jacob Cook have combined for seven saves out of the bullpen. Missouri S&T is still looking to snap a 12-game losing streak to Illinois Springfield, which swept them in four games earlier this year. That series opener was a wild 25–24 shootout with 15 total home runs. The Miners and Prairie Stars have met twice in the GLVC Tournament, both times in the first round—S&T won each of those meetings in 2016 and 2018. They’ll look to replicate that history and advance in the double-elimination bracket.
Inconsistent, but capable of grinding wins
Key to success: limiting free passes and playing clean defense
#8 Missouri-St. Louis (27-22, 16-15 GLVC)
The Tritons snuck into the GLVC Tournament as the eighth seed and face the toughest possible draw: top-seeded Lewis, who finished the regular season as the conference champions with a 36-14 record. UMSL is making its 11th appearance in the tournament, and while they have a 12-17 all-time record, the Tritons have proven capable of making some noise, with their best finish coming in 2003 when they claimed the league title.
UMSL will rely on the explosive bats of Mitch Bonczkowski, who hit a red-hot .500 with two home runs and 11 RBIs during the series against Lewis in March, and Braedon Stoakes, who went .438 with a homer, two doubles, and four RBIs in the same series. The Tritons have shown they can be competitive, even in tough matchups, and they'll need to bring their best to upset the Flyers, who swept them in Romeoville earlier this season.
Despite being the underdog, UMSL has been competitive down the stretch and has the potential to shake things up in the tournament. The Tritons' resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations will be key in trying to pull off an upset against a tough Lewis squad.
Quietly pieced together a solid season
11th tournament trip
Will need early offense to stay alive against top-seeded Lewis
📈 Storylines to Watch
Lewis Seeks Title No. 6: The Flyers haven’t won the tournament since 2013. Can this balanced, veteran group finish the job?
Drury on Fire: The Panthers enter the week as arguably the hottest team in the GLVC. If their rotation holds up, they’re dangerous.
Regional Implications: At-large resumes are on the line. A deep tournament run could make or break regional bids for teams like Uindy, UIS, and Drury.
📺 How to Watch
All games will be streamed live on the GLVC Sports Network (GLVCSN.com). Single-game passes are $12, and a full tournament pass is $35.
🎟️ Tickets are $15/day for adults, $5 for students/youth grades 1–12, and free for kids under 5. No cash accepted on-site.
It’s all on the line this week in Marion. From perennial powers to breakout stars, the GLVC tournament is loaded with storylines — and the road to Cary could start right here, as the GLVC has been sending teams to Cary pretty consistently over the last few years.
🏆 GLVC TITLE HISTORY
School | GLVC Titles |
Indianapolis | 6 |
Lewis | 5 |
Quincy | 5 |
Drury | 3 |
Maryville | 1 (2024) |
Illinois Springfield | 1 |
Missouri-St. Louis | 1 |
📍 WEDNESDAY MATCHUPS (May 7 – All Times CT)
A heavyweight clash to open the tournament. These two split hairs all season and met just weeks ago, with Drury taking 3-of-4 in Indy. The Panthers are making their 14th GLVC trip. UIndy owns a league-best 29th appearance and six titles. Big-game pedigree on both benches.
A rematch of last year’s final — but flipped. In 2024, Maryville claimed its first-ever GLVC title with a dominant 11-1 win over Quincy. These two just met in late April, with the Saints again winning the series. Quincy, the 2023 champion, is in its 14th straight tournament. Don’t expect the Hawks to go quietly.
The Prairie Stars are red-hot, finishing just behind Lewis for the regular-season title. UIS is back in the tournament after missing out in 2024 and boasts one of the deepest pitching staffs in the bracket. Missouri S&T sneaks in as the 7-seed but has a knack for postseason surprises.
The top-seeded Flyers swept UMSL earlier this season and enter as the GLVC regular-season champs. Lewis is riding momentum with the tournament’s best record and will look to win their first title since 2002. UMSL is battle-tested, making its second straight postseason and 11th overall.
🧨 FINAL THOUGHTS
The GLVC postseason is always unpredictable, and 2025 is no different. Lewis and UIS have been the best regular-season teams, but recent champs Maryville and Quincy know what it takes to win in Marion. Drury, UIndy, and Missouri S&T are all seasoned programs with postseason chops.
The balance of power is real—any team could walk away with the title. Expect close games, big bats, and walk-off drama all week long in southern Illinois.
📺 Watch every pitch on GLVCSN.com📍 Get tickets and bracket updates at GLVCsports.com
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