All posts by Jacob Kortenber

District I Team Previews

DIVISION III TEAM PREVIEWS  |  DAY 1 OF 3

⚾️  District I

With three straight seasons producing different champions, District I enters 2026 in a familiar place — searching for the next program to step into the spotlight. Dickinson (2025), Saginaw Valley State (2024), and Rhode Island (2023) have all departed for new districts or divisions, creating another wide-open title chase this spring.

Much of the early buzz has come from the East, where first-year program Sacred Heart exploded onto the scene with a 7–1 fall showing and a spotless 4–0 conference record. Powered by Braden Neal, Aaron Ariza, Francis Fressle, and Justin DiGiovanna, the Pioneers wasted no time proving they belong. Hofstra (2–0) remains in close pursuit and could quickly tighten the race.

In the West, Rowan made an early statement of its own, opening conference play at 2–0 and positioning itself firmly among the district’s top contenders heading into the spring slate.

With fresh faces at the top and tight early standings, District I is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in Division III this season.

Be sure to check all the District I Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

The 2026 Rawlings Division III Preseason Rankings will be released this Thursday!

RAWLINGS FINAL 2025 TOP TEN POLL

TOP TEN RECAP:

The Craven CC Panthers completed their Cinderella run through the DIII Playoffs by winning the World Series in convincing fashion and securing all five first-place votes in the final poll! The Panthers, led by head coach Jimmy Griffiths and freshman standout Rusty Haswell, came out of the loser’s bracket and defeated #2 Robert Morris twice on championship Sunday by scores of 19-0 and 9-6 to leave no doubt on who the best team in Division III was this season.

Robert Morris, UW – Stevens Point, and Dickinson round out the Top 4 after each of their postseason runs were put to a stop by the Panthers in Butler this past weekend.

Check out the final Rawlings Top Ten of the 2025 season HERE!

Thank you all for following the NCBA DIII this season!

CRAVEN WINS DIII WORLD SERIES!

The four-seed Craven CC Panthers completed their Cinderella run, winning the NCBA DIII World Series with a 9-6 win over #2 Robert Morris! John Freeman gave the Panthers a lead they never relinquished with a 3 RBI triple in the bottom of the first and freshman Rusty Haswell slammed the door in relief. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, striking out 8 while only giving up one run on one hit to secure the national championship for Craven!

FINAL BRACKET: HERE

FINAL WORLD SERIES STATS AND RESULTS: HERE

Game 6 Final! Craven bats stay hot and force Game 7

The #4 Craven bats stayed hot and pounded Robert Morris pitching to win 19-0 and force a Game 7 at the NCBA DIII World Series. Left fielder T.J. Jones led the offensive onslaught going 4-for-5 with a double, triple, and 5 RBIs. Damon McAnallen threw a gem on the mound, going 6 innings, allowing no runs, and striking out 6.

The winner-take-all Game 7 rematch will begin at 12:35 PM.

UPDATED BRACKET: HERE

WORLD SERIES STATS: HERE

NCBA DIII WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

#NCBADIIIWS – CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
⏰: 10:00 AM EST
📌: Pullman Park | Butler, PA
🏆: NCBA DIII World Series
#2 Robert Morris 🆚 #4 Craven CC
Heading into championship Sunday, the Colonials need just one win to clinch the DIII World Series. Craven must win the first game and the following if necessary game to take the title home to North Carolina.
*If necessary game to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
LIVE game cast and LIVE video stream:   CLICK HERE

Game 5 Final! Craven punches their ticket to Championship Sunday

#4 Craven came out with some hot bats and survived their elimination game against UW – Stevens Point, winning by a score of 7-2. Center fielder Damon McAnallen went 3-for-4 with an RBI at the plate while also cutting down a runner at the plate in the field. John Freeman got the win on the mound, going all 7 innings while only allowing 1 earned run.

The Panthers will get their rematch with #2 Robert Morris in the NCBA DIII World Series Championship game tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

UPDATED BRACKET: HERE

WORLD SERIES STATS: HERE

NCBA DIII WORLD SERIES GAME 5

#NCBADIIIWS – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 5
⏰: 4:00 PM EST
📌: Pullman Park | Butler, PA
🏆: NCBA DIII World Series
#3 UW – Stevens Point 🆚 #4 Craven CC
LIVE game cast and LIVE video stream:   CLICK HERE

Game 4 Final! UW – Stevens Point rallies to stay alive

#3 UW – Stevens Point stayed alive in the NCBA DIII World Series with a furious 7th inning rally to defeat #1 Dickinson. Casey Gerber got the big 2 RBI single in the top of the 7th to give Stevens Point the lead. Gerber also got the win on the mound as he carried the load for the Dawgs all game long.

UW – Stevens Point now will face #4 Craven in another elimination game at 4PM.

UPDATED BRACKET: HERE

WORLD SERIES STATS: HERE

NCBA DIII WORLD SERIES GAME 4

#NCBADIIIWS – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 4
⏰: 1:00 PM EST
📌: Pullman Park | Butler, PA
🏆: NCBA DIII World Series
#1 Dickinson 🆚 #3 UW – Stevens Point
LIVE game cast and LIVE video stream:   CLICK HERE

Game 3 Final! RMU punches ticket to championship!

The #2 Robert Morris Colonials continued their 2025 postseason domination and clinched their spot in the 2025 NCBA DIII Championship! Senior captain and center fielder Joey Asvestas led the way offensively with a double and 3 RBIs while right-hander Brady Brazell held the Panthers to 3 runs over his complete game effort on the mound.

Robert Morris awaits their championship opponent which will be determined by the remaining games in the loser’s bracket today.

UPDATED BRACKET: HERE

WORLD SERIES STATS: HERE