D2 Baseball. Thrilling action across the nation. Teams continue to build momentum.
Although not every team has played, we’re three weekends deep into the season, and the excitement is palpable after the Division I season kicked off this past weekend. Here’s a look at the top performances and key results from the world of D2 Baseball.
North Greenville: Dominating Early
North Greenville (10-1) is off to a scorching start, including a strong showing in Conference Carolina's play. The Crusaders took two of three from Shorter, including a tight one-run loss. North Greenville has been in command, outscoring opponents 121-47 so far this season. Leading the way offensively, Brett Blomquist is hitting .441 (15-34) with 9 RBI and 12 runs scored. On the mound, Brody Fowler has been nearly untouchable with a 1.84 ERA over three starts, striking out 19 batters and walking only 4 in 14.2 innings of work. The pitching staff overall has been dominant, with 135 strikeouts to just 35 walks, ranking 6th in D2 Baseball for K-BB ratio. With an offense that scores 11 runs per game, good for 7th in the nation, North Greenville is one of the teams to watch as they welcome UNC Pembroke to Tigerville for the next round of conference play.
UT Tyler: Offense Explodes, Dominates Pitching
UT Tyler is firing on all cylinders. The Patriots opened the season with a sweep of Top-25 Lubbock (now RV) and then split with No. 2 Angelo State two weeks ago. Last weekend, they made quick work of Texas A&M International, completing a four-game sweep with outstanding pitching and offense. The team allowed no more than four runs in any game, while their offense, which is hitting .346 as a team (6th in NCAA), continues to set records. UT Tyler also ranks in the top 25 for slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and runs scored at 9.3 per game. Leading the charge at the plate is Drew Schmidt, who is batting .512 (21-41) with 7 extra-base hits and 15 RBIs. On the mound, Rawley Hector has been dominant, sporting a 1.56 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17.1 innings, walking just 2 batters. The Patriots, now ranked No. 9 in by us here at D2 Baseball, will look to continue their hot streak as they host Texas A&M Kingsville this weekend.
Chico State: Upsetting the Elite
Chico State has quietly put together the most impressive resume in D2 Baseball so far. The Wildcats have taken series from three ranked teams—Point Loma, Northwest Nazarene, and Colorado Mesa. After sweeping Colorado Mesa, including a thrilling 10th-inning walk-off win, Chico State has earned their place in the rankings. In a wild series win over Mesa, the Wildcats won Game 1 by three runs and edged out one-run victories in Games 2 and 3. The excitement was off the charts when Thade Miller’s walkoff single in the 10th inning secured a win for Chico State in Game 2, a moment that will surely be remembered by Wildcats fans for years to come:
As they continue to rise, Chico State is showing they’re a legitimate contender in D2 Baseball this year, and they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling in the weeks ahead.
The weekend’s action in D2 Baseball was filled with thrilling matchups, standout performances, and big upsets as teams continued to solidify their place in the rankings. With North Greenville, UT Tyler, and Chico State leading the charge, it’s clear that this season will be one to remember.
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