Brother Cory VanDomelen (l) holding the Championship Trophy with pitcher Chris Haddeland (r)
Linfield College won its first NCAA Division III College World Series title May 28, 2013, as the Wildcats defeated Southern Maine 4-1 at Fox Cities Stadium for the 2013 Division III baseball national title.
Linfield shortstop, Corey VanDomelen Delta Alpha/Linfield 2015, contributed to the win by catching the final out.
“The final out of the game was a ground ball to me at shortstop,” said VanDomelen. “I [caught it and] threw to first base for the final out,” he said.
The last two games of the series were shown at the local IMAX theatre at the Evergreen Space Museum. Several of VanDomelen’s friends and chapter brothers watched the games there.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Bob Nix (2013). Being able to see Corey play, and play very well, was exciting for all of us. Every time he was up to bat or was able to make a play in the field was a pretty exciting moment for all of us to share with a fellow brother,” he continued.
“It was hard watching the final game and not feeling like we were going to win the whole time. After such a dominant season it almost seemed like if they didn’t win it all that it would have been a let-down,” Nix said. The fact that Corey was able to have a part in the final out of the game was awesome and is a lasting image that I’ll keep with me for a long time,” he added.
“I got to talk to Corey on the phone when he was still in the locker room after the game,” said Nix. “Being able to share in that moment was an awesome feeling. I put him on speaker phone and let everyone enjoy hearing how ecstatic Corey was,” he added.
The support from home was one thing that “made” the experience for VanDomelen.
“One of the most memorable things about the whole experience, aside from the games, was the incredible support we were getting from home despite being hundreds of miles away,” said VanDomelen. “Every day after our game, all of us players were receiving texts/pictures of us on TV, and anything else you can imagine. It was a pretty special feeling to have that kind of support, even being that far from home,” he said.
Brother Nick Popma (2014), a former high school team mate and now classmate of VanDomelen’s also saw the game.
“I truly believe that the play capped off an amazing season for Corey and Linfield,” said Popma. The win was a product of Corey’s tenacious work ethic,” he said.
“Outsiders only saw the game, or the final play, but often don’t understand how much time goes into preparing for those moments,” said Popma. “Corey had to miss quite a bit of school toward the end of the term, and I am very proud of him for not putting school or the fraternity on the back burner. There were a lot of late nights in the library to make sure he fulfilled his academic obligations,” Popma said.
VanDomelen has been playing baseball since he was 4 or 5 years old and would love to play professionally.
"It is my ultimate goal to get paid to do what I love every day,” said VanDomelen. “That being said, I have a great backup plan in my Linfield education,” he continued.
Congratulations to Brother VanDomelen and Linfield College on your College World Series Championship!
To read the Linfield College Press Release about the win, click here.
View game statistics and read the play by play here.
View Brother VanDomelen's team profile here.