One for the Record Books in Game Two of the World Series!

photos by Spencer Farrin

Lewiston, Id. - Two years ago, Tucker Zdunich was selected as an NAIA All-American.  He did not reach that status last season, but in game two of the 2024 World Series - Zdunich showed the NAIA who he is and where he belongs.  He had some help in this game, but Zdunich was a personal wrecking crew facing the Firestorm of Arizona Christian.  Zdunich and the Eagles obliterated the Firestorm, 30-13, which resembles a score put up by our Gridiron Eagles. Plenty of Eagles had big games in this one and as one could imagine - the record books have to be rewritten for this game.

Ben Medley got the start for the Eagles and easily picked up his 8th win of the season, however, the Firestorm did rough him up some with 16 hits and 13 runs scored, however, the offense took this game early for the Eagles.  This freed the pitching staff to loosen and work through the game.  Medley pitched into the sixth inning striking out 5 batters before being relieved by the lefty - Hunter Paulsen. Paulsen had a good game going two and two-thirds innings without giving up a run and striking out 2 batters.

Brock Weiss finished up the game for the Eagles in the ninth striking out 2 batters and not allowing a hit or a run.  The pitching staff did its job in this one letting the offense do their damage and allowing arms like Andrew Herbert and Brett Allen to rest because both might be needed in game three on Tuesday.

Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers

Offensively, the Eagles had their most successful game in the history of Reinhardt Baseball. Zdunich led the way, but he had plenty of help from Lance Dockery, Jarrett Burney, and Dylan Lewis just to name a few. Behind the three home runs from Zdunich and the two from Lewis - Reinhardt had a stress-free game two and added unreal numbers to the scoreboard.  Below are some of the numbers from the game and a list of the records broken.

Individual Numbers:

Tucker Zdunich: 6 for 7, 9 RBIs, Triple, 3 HRs, 5 Runs scored
Dylan Lewis: 5 for 7, 6 RBIs, Double, 2 HRs, 3 runs scored
Lance Dockery: 3 for 7, 6 RBIs, Double, HR, 5 runs scored, stolen base
Jarret Burney: 3 for 8, 3 RBIs, HR, 4 runs scored, stolen base

Other home runs: Matty Maurer and Adrian Vargas

Additional Doubles: Nash Crowell, Marcerio Allen

The Eagles scored in seven of the nine innings in the game with the second and third being their most productive with 7 runs each of those innings. They added 6 runs in the fourth inning and had 4 runs in the seventh.

The Record Book

Team Runs:
30 Runs (Prev: 25 in 1987 and 2021)
Team Home Runs:
9 Home Runs (Prev: 7 in 1986)
Team Hits:
27 Hits (Prev: 25 in 1999)
Team Extra Base Hits:
14 Extra Base Hits (Prev: 11 in 1987 and 2021)
Team Total Bases:
60 Total Bases (Prev: 48 in 1987)
Individual Home Runs:
Tucker Zdunich: 3 Home Runs (Tie - Multiple)
Individual Total Bases:
Tucker Zunich: 17 Total Bases (Prev: 14 - Multiple)

The numbers in the game were unimaginable for any game - but for this to happen in the third round of the NAIA World Series adds to the outrageous totals.  The Eagles will now need to put this game behind them and start to focus on the next game.  They will play on Tuesday evening in Idaho against the winner of the Tennessee Wesleyan vs Georgia Gwinnett game.  By winning Monday's game against Arizona Christian, the Eagles have put themselves in the final four teams of the NAIA World Series no matter what happens in Tuesday's game, however, Reinhardt will want to win this game to be the only team without a loss in the Series. 

The game is scheduled for 9:35 pm EST start time.  To view the NAIA World Series bracket, please see the below link:

NAIA World Series Bracket