The 12th ranked nationally Webster University baseball team plays Kean University (NJ) in the final contest on day one of the NCAA III Baseball Championship, better known as World Series, on May 24 at 7:45 p.m., in Appleton, WI.  While some of the favorites from recent Series did not make the finals this year, it is a formidable field that the Gorloks (36-10) will have to conquer to bring home Webster's first NCAA championship.

The Gorloks faced Kean in the second round of the 2012 Series in an elimination game, and won a wild contest, 8-7.  Down 2-0, Webster took a 5-2 lead in the 7th inning only to see it disappear as the Cougars scored four in the top of the 8th to pull ahead, 6-5.  The Gorloks tied it up in the bottom half only to see Kean take a 7-6 lead in the top of the 9th.

Webster had back to back singles with one out in the 9th and a walk loaded the bases with two out.  Taylor Stoulp (JR, St. Mary's HS, MO) laced an 0-2 count inside the first base bag to score two and the Gorloks sent Kean home with an 8-7 win.  Stoulp and teammate Kevin Kojs (JR, Lincoln Way Central HS, IL), who set a Series record with nine consecutive hits, went on to both being named to the 2012 All-Tournament Team.

The World Series runs from May 24-28 and games are played at Times Warner Cable Field @Fox Cities Stadium, in Appleton.  A quick look at the other seven teams participating in the double elimination format tournament.

University of Southern Maine (42-8) won national titles in 1991 and 1997, and is making its seventh trip to the finals and first since 2001. The 14th ranked Huskies won 9-0 over Endicott College (MA) in the Harwich (MA) Regional final.

Kean University (NJ), is making its sixth appearance in the finals and third consecutive trip to Appleton. Kean (38-11) won the title in 2007. The 10th ranked Cougars win 6-1 over Keystone College (PA) in the Moosic (PA) Regional final.

Ithaca College (NY), NCAA champs in 1980 and 1988, is making its 12th trip to the finals and first since 1994. Ithaca (38-6) earned its berth in the finals with a 4-2 win over Cortland State (NY) in the Auburn (NY) Regional championship.  the Bombers are ranked 7th.

Linfield College (OR) is making its third appearance in the Series. The #1 ranked Wildcats (38-7) return to Appleton for the first time since 2010 and earned their berth with a 3-1 victory over Trinity University (TX) in the Austin (TX) Regional.

Wisconsin-Stevens Point (39-9) is located just 65 miles west of Appleton. Stevens Point is making its fifth appearance in the finals and first since 2010. The 16th ranked Pointers won the Whitewater (WI) Regional with a 1-0 victory over Case Western Reserve (OH).

Manchester University (IN) defeated two-time defending champ, Marietta College, 8-5, in the title game of the Terre Haute (IN) Regional. The 9th ranked Spartans (39-5-1) are making their second trip to Appleton, the first was in 2004.

Millsaps College (MS) won the Millington (TN) Regional, that the Gorloks won in 2012, with a 7-6 win over Sailsbury University (MD). The Majors (38-12), ranked 23rd, won the regional with a walk-off, single in the bottom of the ninth.

If you aren't making the trip to Appleton, you can follow the action in the Tournament several ways.

Video: Series games can be followed live online via videostreaming at:  http://www.ncaa.com/sports/baseball/d3

Live Stats: Live stats can be followed for Webster's games online at the website www.iscorecast.com.  Log in with the ID #:  15B29852A7.