ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the second time in program history and the first time since 2017, the Macalester Scots are MIAC Baseball Playoff champions.
No. 3 Saint John's defeated the Scots, 10-3, in the afternoon game to force a doubleheader, where Macalester recovered for an 11-6 win, clinching the conference tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament.
| 2026 MIAC Baseball Playoffs |
NO. 3 SAINT JOHN'S 10, NO. 2 MACALESTER 3 | BOX SCORE |
The Johnnies scored runs in each of the first four innings to defeat Macalester, 10-3, and force a championship doubleheader. Second baseman Alex Matchey and third baseman Reed Marquardt each drove in three runs in the win. Matchey's three RBI came in the first two frames, while Marquardt brought home one in the first and a pair in the sixth. Macalester leadoff hitter Holden Peacock went 3-for- 4 with a walk and a run scored to lead the Scots' offense. Brady Drkula was credited with the win on the mound for Saint John's, allowing two hits and no runs in his three innings of work.
NO. 2 MACALESTER 11, NO. 3 SAINT JOHN'S 6 | BOX SCORE |
A back-and-forth game through six innings, Macalester pulled away in the seventh to finish off Saint John's and take home the Scots' first MIAC Baseball Playoff title since 2017 with an 11-6 win in Game 7 of the 2026 conference tournament. Macalester leftfielder Tristan Lander starred at the plate in the title game, going 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored. Lander was among five Scots with multiple hits in the win. Saint John's was led offensively by shortstop Will Koeppen, who finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI and a walk. Josh Schmidt was credited with the win, while Ben King earned a save after coming on in the seventh and closing out the final three frames.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
-With the playoff title, Macalester earned the MIAC's automatic qualifier to the 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament.
-Macalester's only previous NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2017 after the Scots won their first MIAC Playoff title.
CHAMPIONSHIP APPAREL
Official playoff and championship apparel is available for online purchase via the MIAC Shop powered by UNRestricted MKTG. The online MIAC Shop features officially licensed short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeves, and hooded sweatshirts to commemorate the 2026 playoff tournament.
NPI OUTLOOK
-The NCAA Power Index (NPI) is used to select the 23 at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Tournament after the 41 automatic qualifiers have been determined on May 10.
-Heading into Saturday, MIAC regular-season champion Bethel was ranked No. 49. Macalester and Saint John's were ranked Nos. 95 and 97, respectively.
-The D3Playbook has projected this year's NPI cut line to be 54.
UP NEXT
-The 64-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament will be revealed at 11:00 a.m. Central time on Monday, May 11, on NCAA.com.
-Regionals will be held from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, with Super Regionals scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Saturday, May 23.
-The 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball World Series will be Friday, May 29, through Thursday, June 4.
-The MIAC will announce its annual baseball awards, including All-Conference, All-Playoff, and individual honors, on Tuesday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m. Central time.
PLAYOFF HQ
The MIAC has a homepage dedicated to the 2026 MIAC Baseball Playoffs, containing schedules, links, and information on each of the four teams in the field.
2026 MIAC BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Game 1: No. 4 Saint Mary's 8, No. 1 Bethel 6 (11 inn.) | Box Score |
Game 2: No. 2 Macalester 5, No. 3 Saint John's 4 | Box Score |
Friday, May 8, 2026
Game 3: No. 3 Saint John's 4, No. 1 Bethel 3 | Box Score |
Game 4: No. 2 Macalester 11, No. 4 Saint Mary's 4 | Box Score |
Game 5: No. 3 Saint John's 9, No. 4 Saint Mary's 8 | Box Score |
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Game 6: No. 1 Saint John's 10, No. 2 Macalester 3 | Box Score |
Game 7: No. 2 Macalester 11, No. 3 Saint John's 6 | Box Score |