LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 2024 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic will take place February 16-18 at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga. This three-day showcase of collegiate softball features 23 teams, representing 12 conferences.
Returning to the South Commons Complex where they finished last season are 2023 NAIA World Series participants Central Methodist, University of the Cumberlands and Georgia Gwinnett. Cumberlands collected the most wins (49) of any team in this year’s Leadoff and finished third at the World Series last May.
At No. 3, the Patriots are also the top-ranked tournament team in the Preseason NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25, followed by Georgia Gwinnett at No. 4 and Central Methodist in the eighth spot. Other ranked Leadoff teams include Mobile (12th), Coastal Georgia (18th), Freed-Hardeman (20th) and William Carey (23rd). Fellow tournament teams Campbellsville, Truett McConnell, Indiana Southeast and Embry-Riddle all received ranking votes. The 18th-ranked Mariners captured the 2022 Leadoff title.
Twenty-one of the 23 Leadoff teams played in their respective conference tournament last season, with five notching tournament championships. Twelve teams had 30-plus victories, while five of those squads reached 40 wins or more. Nine Leadoff teams competed in the 2023 NAIA tournament.
Other teams vying to make two trips to South Commons this season, which will host the NAIA World Series on May 23-29, are Blue Mountain, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Georgetown, Jessup, Johnson, Kentucky Christian, Lawrence Tech, Louisiana Christian, Milligan, Rio Grande, Thomas and Webber.
