Tarver, Kiaunis Tabbed WS All-Tournament Team
Glendale, Ariz. – Trey Tarver and Kane Kiaunis were selected to the 2024 NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team following the championship’s conclusion on Friday night. The junior duo combined to fill the first base (Tarver) and third base (Kiaunis) positions based on their outstanding play throughout the national tournament.
The Arizona Christian University Firestorm completed their historic 2024 season as one of the final six teams standing in Lewiston, Idaho. After upsetting one-seed Southeastern in 11 innings on Saturday (moving their record to 5-0 at Harris Field), ACU was unable to stoke their fire any further, being eliminated on Tuesday by the eventual champion Hope International Royals. It took 14 years, but ACU Baseball truly made its first NAIA World Series appearance an unforgettable one.
Trey Tarver (First Base)
The junior from Surprise, Arizona put an exclamation point on an already stellar season with the All-Tournament designation. His plate presence was invaluable for the Firestorm, as only one of two (Matthew Beckworth was the other) to record at least one hit in all four games. Tarver rattled off seven hits, five runs and four RBI highlighted by a 3-for-4 performance (three runs, one triple, one RBI) against five-seed Reinhardt.
The first baseman’s defensive display was equally impressive. He completed all total chances (18 putouts, one assist) and answered the call as a closer on the mound against one-seed Southeastern. After enduring nine innings at first base, Tarver held down the fort in the 10th and 11th innings (2.0 IP, 0 RA, 1 K) and inspired his offense to overcome the odds-on favorite Fire.
He closed the season on a 14-game hitting streak and with the team’s second-highest batting average (.352) behind only Marques Titialii (.375). Tarver was also named to the NAIA Ball East West Challenge All-Tournament Team in February, which was certainly an indication of great things to come.
Kane Kiaunis (Third Base)
The junior from North Plains, Oregon complemented his All-GSAC selection with the NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team recognition. He led the Firestorm with eight hits across the four games, despite not registering one against Hope International on Tuesday.
Kiaunis did the bulk of his damage in the tournament opener against eight-seed Kansas Wesleyan, going 4-for-6 at the plate and being rewarded with four RBI. Arguably the most critical of his eight hits was an RBI single against one-seed Southeastern, Kiaunis sending home the game’s equalizing run in the sixth inning. He closed the season with 24 multi-hit games, only second behind Marques Titialii (26).
On the defensive side of things, Kiaunis recorded four putouts and three assists. He also made just his seventh appearance on the mound against five-seed Reinhardt (2.0 IP, 4 RA).
Roll Storm!
