Reinhardt Finishes Runners-Up in the AAC Tournament; Next Up - NAIA Opening Round

Kingsport, TN - Reinhardt Baseball had a successful week of baseball at the 2025 Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament (AAC).  Their tournament record was 4-2, and they worked their way to the tournament championship despite losing to Milligan in game two.  The Eagles had to battle back in the tournament in three must-win games to reach the tournament championship, including beating the Milligan Buffaloes twice after losing to them in game two of the tournament.

Championship Saturday Game One

The Eagles faced the tough Milligan Buffaloes in the early Saturday morning game, with the winner moving on to the AAC Final.  Reinhardt had to come from behind in this one to pull out the win after giving up four runs in the sixth inning.  Starter Brett Allen had some good moments pitching for the Eagles, striking out four, but he did give up five runs in his six innings.  The lefty Hunter Paulsen came in to get the game back into control in the seventh inning and he had a fantastic trip to the mound.  Maybe his best as a Reinhardt Eagle.  Paulsen struck out six batters while holding the Buffaloes scoreless and only allowing two hits.  This scoreless stretch for Milligan allowed the Eagles to score a few runs and take the lead back.

Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers

Reinhardt steadily scored runs throughout the game.  They scored single runs in every inning besides the first, third, and the fifth innings.  Louis Dion's home run got the Eagles started in the second inning.  Jacob Mantooth, who had one of the best tournaments offensively for the Eagles,  broke the 5-5 tie in the bottom of the ninth on a game-winning single that scored Robert Phelps.  Mantooth was 3 for 5 in the game with an RBI and two runs scored.

AAC Championship Game

In game two of the day, the Eagles faced the lone tournament undefeated team - the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs.  The #3 ranked Bulldogs stayed on the winning side of the bracket knocking out the Johnson Royals on Friday to earn the championship spot.

The pitching staff for the Bulldogs had the Eagles searching once again on how to produce runs.  Reinhardt was held to just four hits in the game and they could only produce two runs. Robert Phelps and Ryan Stephens were the two that scored runs for the Eagles.  Phelps scored early in the game from a Louis Dion double.  Stephens run came from a solo homer in the eighth innin to bring the Eagles to within two runs of rhte Bulldogs, but that is as close as they would get.

Tennessee Wesleyan was able to score in the fourth and sixth innings.  The two runs in the fourth were from a two-run homer.  The two runs in the sixth were from a single that scored two unearned runs.

Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers

Reinhardt will now turn their focus on the opening round, which will take place on the campus of Reinhardt University at Ken White Baseball Field on May 12th - 15th.  Reinhardt Baseball will be hosting the Waleska Bracket Opening Round, but as of now, the teams coming are unknown.  Over the next couple of days, the tournament officials will set things up and appoint where each team will go.  Stay tuned to www.NAIA.org to see the most up-to-date NAIA National Tournament news.

NAIA Baseball Opeing Round Information:

https://www.naia.org/sports/bsb/index