Union College of Kentucky defeated Cumberland of Tennessee in the South-Central Super Regional 4-1 Friday afternoon in Lebanon, Tennessee to advance to its first-ever NAIA World Series. With Union’s addition to the field, nine teams have now qualified for the 10 team double-elimination national tournament.

Oklahoma City, Missouri Baptist and Bellevue of Nebraska are the only teams still alive. Oklahoma City has already secured a spot in the World Series by being the highest seeded team remaining. Missouri Baptist, who is playing Oklahoma City in the Mid-South Super Regional must defeat OCU twice in order to punch a ticket to the series.

Bellevue, which fell in the Plains Super Regional to Jamestown, North Dakota can secure an At-Large invitation if Oklahoma City wins one more game against Missouri Baptist. Other teams that have already qualified for the national tournament include; host school Lewis-Clark State, Azusa Pacific of California, Spring Arbor of Michigan, Lee of Tennessee, Ohio Dominican, Embry Riddle of Florida, Jamestown of North Dakota, Oklahoma City, and Union of Kentucky.

The Avista NAIA World Series begins next Friday May 23rd at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.