The Sterling College Warrior baseball team finished its record-breaking season, finishing fifth in the final coaches’ poll of the season. The Warrior baseball team set a school record for wins during their 52-16 season, which included winning the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and National Opening Round Championship en route to a Avista-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics World Series appearance.

“We couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys that personified winning with humility all season long. What Coach Dinkel and his staff have done is really great work and they have brought this program to a national level,” said Gary Kempf, athletic director.

Sterling finished the season with the best batting average in the country, hitting .354 as a team. The Warriors excelled in pitching as well as the entire staff combined for a 3.03 ERA, good for ninth in the nation.

“This group of guys made our season one I will never forget. They showed up each and every day ready to put in the work to become a team that will go down as one of the all-time greats in Warriors history. My coaching staff and I were humbled and blessed to coach this group of young men,” said Adrian Dinkel, head coach.

After winning the KCAC Tournament Championship, the Warriors advanced to the National Opening Round Jamestown bracket as the No. 1 seed. Winning their National Opening Round tournament guaranteed the team a spot to compete for the national championship in Lewiston, Idaho. The team won two games before being eliminated from competition by Faulkner University, who finished the tournament in second place.

The team will be recognized for their achievement at halftime of the Warrior Fest football game on Sept. 17.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.