By: Mason Nesbitt, Sports Information Director

The Master’s University baseball team did not hear its name called Thursday when the NAIA released its national tournament brackets on Facebook Live.

The Mustangs were hoping to earn an at-large berth to the Opening Round after compiling a 34-17-1 record and positioning themselves in the top 25 of the Bo Chip Power Index.

The Golden State Athletic Conference teams to make the field were Hope International, an automatic bid after winning the conference tournament last week, and William Jessup, Westmont and Arizona Christian as at-large berths.

Master’s finished fifth in the GSAC regular season standings, two games out of second place, but finished as one of the final three teams at the GSAC tournament.

Thursday’s news wrapped up one of the most impressive offensive seasons for any duo in NAIA history.

Senior shortstop Aaron Shackelford hit 36 home runs with 99 RBIs and a slash line of .415/.519/1.096. And senior catcher Anthony Lepre tagged 28 homers with 80 RBIs and a slash line of .438/.489/.933.

Lepre’s batting average is the highest in program history, while Shackelford’s on-base and slugging percentages are both program records.

The pair of MLB Draft prospects combined to hit more home runs than all but 11 of the NAIA’s other 182 teams.

Shackelford ultimately finished two blasts shy of tying the NAIA’s all-time single-season record of 38 and was named the GSAC Player of the Year.

Senior ace Robert Winslow, another draft prospect, and Lepre were both All-GSAC selections.

The Mustangs are expected to return six everyday starters and half of its starting rotation next season.