May 12, 2026 | Bellevue, Neb. — Nelson University Baseball fought until the final inning Wednesday afternoon, but the Lions' historic season came to a close with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to No. 1 seed Bellevue University in the NAIA Opening Round at Renner Dennis Field. 

The Lions wrapped up the 2026 campaign with a 38-19 overall record after one of the most successful seasons in program history, highlighted by the program's first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance and multiple Opening Round victories. 

Nelson struck first in the top of the second inning when Tristian McGee delivered an RBI single to left center, scoring TJ Sweat to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead. 

The story early was Neco Lopez.

The right-hander turned in a tremendous outing against the No. 1 overall seed, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs and striking out seven. Lopez consistently attacked the strike zone and kept Bellevue off balance throughout the afternoon. 

Bellevue finally broke through in the fifth inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead, but Nelson continued to battle deep into the game. 

Hamilton Moye provided strong relief work out of the bullpen, throwing two innings while allowing just one run and helping keep the Lions within striking distance entering the ninth inning. 

Trailing 3-1 in the top of the ninth, Nelson made one final push.

Tate Thrasher opened the inning with a pinch-hit single before Addison Patton drove in Carter Harrison with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one run. The Lions brought the tying run aboard and forced Bellevue to fight for the final outs before the Bruins ultimately escaped with the victory. 

Zeke Velazquez continued his strong Opening Round performance with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, while Drew Ortiz, Joshua Pinter, McGee, Thrasher, and Patton also recorded hits for the Lions. 

Though the season ended one win shy of extending their Opening Round stay, the Lions firmly established themselves on the national stage during a historic postseason run in Bellevue.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.