‘KNIGHTS WIN’: WVC baseball secures NWAC championship berth

WENATCHEE — Beneath a scoreboard reading “KNIGHTS WIN,” members of the Wenatchee Valley College baseball team gathered on Paul Thomas Sr. Field after clinching a berth in the 2026 NWAC Baseball Championship Tournament.

The Knights advanced to the championship tournament after winning the Super Regional at home May 16, defeating Shoreline Community College twice to punch their ticket to Longview.

WVC opened the weekend with a 6–3 victory May 15 before edging out the Dolphins 7–6 the following day to secure the Super Regional title and a place in the eight-team NWAC Championship Tournament.

The appearance marks Wenatchee Valley College’s first trip to the NWAC Baseball Championship Tournament since 2008.

“This team has accomplished some fantastic things on the field, but truly this was a group of young men who bought into so much more than baseball,” head coach Aaron Vaughn said in a release from the college. “They treated each other with love and respect both on and off the field, made great memories, took care of business off the field, and grew as young men.”

Vaughn, who has coached in the NWAC for eight years, called the berth a long-awaited milestone.

“Winning the Super Regional and making it to the true championship series is something I have been working toward and dreaming about for years,” he said. “Making it to the final tournament has always been the goal.”

WVC enters the championship tournament with a 31–19 overall record and will open tournament play against the Linn-Benton Community College Roadrunners, who enter at 35–9, at 12:35 p.m. on May 21 at David Story Field on the campus of Lower Columbia College in Longview.

With a win, the Knights would play again at 4:35 p.m. on May 22. If WVC loses its opening-round game, the team would return to the field at 9:35 a.m. on May 22.

The NWAC Championship Tournament runs May 21–25 and features the top eight teams in the conference. Approximately 200 student-athletes from across the Northwest are expected to compete.

David Story Field is located at Lower Columbia College, 1700-1740 19th Ave. in Longview. Parking on campus will be free during the tournament.

Tournament organizers said the event will be fully cashless. Fans purchasing tickets on-site must use a debit or credit card.

Single-day ticket prices are $17 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $7 for youth ages 7-12. Children 6 and younger are admitted free. All-tournament passes cost $42 for adults, $30 for seniors and students, and $25 for youth. Military members with valid ID will be admitted free.

Tournament information, schedules, brackets and tickets are available at https://nwacsports.com/championships/sports/bsb/2025-26/index.

A direct tournament bracket is available at https://nwacsports.com/documents/2026/5/17//2026_NWAC_Baseball_Bracket.pdf?id=9560.

Fans unable to travel to Longview can watch tournament games live through the NWAC Sports Network at https://nwacnetwork.tv/nwac/.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media