Rio Grande won the 2024 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Georgia. They finished with a 5-0 record, including a 12-4 six-inning win over Truett McConnell. William Carey also had a 5-0 record but finished as the runner-up. Rio Grande allowed nine fewer runs than William Carey University, which was the deciding factor in the tiebreaker.
Rio Grande’s wins included a 16-2 victory against Kentucky Christian and an 11-0 victory against Johnson. They also won 3-1 against No. 12 Mobile and 5-4 against Embry-Riddle. Gabby Adams’ two-run walk-off double was a highlight in the Embry-Riddle game. In the final match against Truett McConnell, Rio Grande recovered from a 1-0 deficit to win.
William Carey University also performed well in the tournament. They had 11-1 and 9-1 wins on the first day and close wins on Saturday against No. 3 Cumberlands (8-6) and Truett McConnell (7-6). In their final match against Calumet, WCU led 10-0. Despite a comeback attempt by the Crimson Wave, WCU scored eight runs in the sixth inning to win.