2021 #HeartBSB Tournament Qualifiers Announced

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the fourth-straight season, US Baseball Park will serve as the host for the Heart of America Athletic Conference Baseball Championship, taking place May 6-11 in Ozark, Mo. | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL / PRINTABLE BRACKET

Central Methodist received the No. 1 seed for the tournament after winning the regular season title, collecting the program's fourth overall banner (first since 2018). The Eagles finished the regular season with an overall record of 40-5 (26-3 Heart) and are currently ranked 4th in the NAIA.

The tournament format features eight teams, four from each division, in a double-elimination format. The top 10 teams in the league competed in a best 2-for-3 series to close out the regular season and solidify tournament seeding. The final conference win percentage, including the play-in weekend, was used to determine the 3-8 seeding. The top two seeds were reserved for the division leaders, with the regular season champion claiming the No. 1 slot.

Clarke received the No. 2 seed after finishing at the top of the North Division but falling to Central Methodist in the battle for the banner. The Pride will face the winner of No. 7 Culver-Stockton/No. 8 Baker. MidAmerica Nazarene drew the No. 3 seed after posting a league record of 23-4 (.852) and will face No. 6 William Penn (19-12 Heart) on opening day. The winner of No. 4 Peru State (20-10 Heart) and No. 5 Benedictine (19-10 Heart) will advance to face the top-seeded Eagles in the second round. The Wildcats punched their ticket to the tournament after a series victory over William Penn on Saturday.

The first round of double-elimination games will take place on Thursday, May 6. The schedule through the weekend will see games starting at 10 AM, 1:30 PM, 5 PM, and 8:30 PM. Following an off day on Sunday, the semifinal and first potential championship game are scheduled on Monday, May 10, at 11 AM and 2:30 PM. If necessary, a second title game will be played on Tuesday, May 11 at 11 AM.

All games will be streamed on the Heart Conference Network by the Evangel University Athletic Communications Department. This event will be open to the public with tickets available for purchase at the gate.