TWU Rewrites Record Book in Championship Rout

(Story provided by NAIA Athletic Communications)

LEWISTON, Idaho- Tennessee Wesleyan saved its loudest statement for the biggest stage Saturday night, erupting for 21 runs on 22 hits to overwhelm Taylor (Ind.) 21-3 in the 2026 Avista NAIA World Series Championship at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho. 

The Bulldogs piled up 21 runs on 22 hits while rewriting portions of the championship record book. Tennessee Wesleyan's 22 hits were the most in a title game since 1958, while its 18-run margin of victory was the largest in a championship contest since that same season, snapping the previous record of 14.

TWU seized control early and never looked back, scoring in six of eight innings and capitalizing on five Taylor errors to complete a commanding run to the national championship title.

After a scoreless opening frame, the Bulldogs scored first in the second frame. Ethan Wright brought home the game's first run with a sacrifice fly before Allan Gil Fernandez launched a three-run homer to right-center, giving Tennessee Wesleyan a 4-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure in the third. Brayan Espinoza's RBI single helped fuel a three-run inning, aided by a Taylor defensive miscue in right field, extending the lead to 7-0.

Taylor answered in the fourth when Brennan Frickel connected on a solo home run to left-center. The Trojans added two more runs in the fifth on a Brayden Manning RBI groundout and a Jordan Malott RBI double down the left-field line, trimming the deficit to 11-3.

That would be the final offensive push for Taylor.

Tennessee Wesleyan starter McGwire Taylor worked 4.2 innings, striking out six while allowing three runs. Cameron Goffar entered in relief and shut down the Trojans over 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the victory on the mound. Colton Brumley closed out the championship with a scoreless ninth.

Leading 11-3 entering the late innings, the Bulldogs put the game out of reach. TWU scored four times in the seventh before erupting for six more runs in the eighth inning.

Kolton Reynolds capped the offensive explosion with a three-run home run to right field as part of a historic championship performance. Reynolds finished a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs and five runs scored.

Gil Fernandez added four hits, including his three-run homer, while driving in three runs and scoring three times. Espinoza collected four hits and three RBIs, and David Ballenilla contributed three hits, three RBIs, and three runs scored.

Lane Lewis took the loss for Taylor on the bump after allowing four runs in 1.2 innings.

2026 Avista NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team

• First Base: Josh Shelly, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Second Base: Taylor Walters, William Carey 

• Third Base: Allan Gil Fernandez, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Shortstop: Nathanial Hopkins, Southeastern

• Infielder: Bryson Arnette, IU Southeast

• Catcher: Franklin Hernandez, William Carey

• Catcher: Jahzeel Grotelares, Mid-America Christian (Okla.)

• Outfielder: David Ballenilla, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Outfielder: Brayden Manning, Taylor

• Outfielder: Kolton Reynolds, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Outfielder: DeeJay Booth, William Carey

• DH: Sam Gladd, Taylor

• Pitcher: Justin Jackson, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Pitcher: McGwire Taylor, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Pitcher: Lane Lewis, Tayloe

• Pitcher: Mason Goodson, Lewis-Clark State

• MVP: Allan Gil Fernandez, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Hustle: Rob Gordon, Tennessee Wesleyan

• Gold Glove: Kolton Reynolds, Tennessee Wesleyan