Warriors Fall Short in Semifinals

The Nelson Warriors' (27-25, 3-2) historic run at the 2026 NCCAA Baseball World Series came to an end this evening with a hard-fought 9-6 loss to Southwestern Christian University in the Semifinals.

The Nelson men found themselves down 3-0 early but showed their trademark Warriors Spirit, rallying to tie the game in the bottom of the third when Ethan Gustafson grounded out with the bases loaded to score Josue Franco Jr., and Jimmy Holloway followed with a double down the right-field line that drove in Sam Hess and Aaron Bazan, making the score 3-3.

Southwestern Christian pulled ahead with single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to take a 6-3 lead but the ever-resilient Nelson squad refused to quit, cutting the deficit to one run in the bottom of the seventh when Holloway singled up the middle to drive in Gustafson and Gerardo Paco.

Unfortunately, the Eagles added three crucial insurance runs in the top of the ninth to push the lead to 9-5. The Warriors mounted one final push in the bottom of the inning, putting two runners on with one out and power-hitter Gustafson at the plate. After a fly out, Paco scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-6, but Brandon Ramirez flied out to right field to end the game.

In the loss, Nelson managed only six hits for the game — all coming from the top four batters in the lineup. However, the Warriors showed incredible resilience throughout their first-ever national tournament, coming from behind to win two of their three tournament victories, reaching the semifinals in their debut appearance.

This has been a groundbreaking season for the program headed up by manager Josh Milner and staff. From turning the season around after a 5-18 start with remarkable 15-2 stretch that included a program-record nine-game winning streak, clinching the program's first-ever West Division title, to making noise on the national stage earning a spot in the national semifinals with a chance to play for the National Championship, the 2026 Warriors have left their mark.

Thank you to this group for an unforgettable postseason run. The future is bright.

Only 240 days (or so) until we can root the Warriors on in person once again. That day can not come soon enough.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.

Go Warriors!!