By Jordan Long
The Junior College World Series (JUCO) is supposed to be played Saturday, May 29th ending either on June 4th or 5th depending on how many teams are left. 10 of the best JUCO teams make the trek to Grand Junction, Colorado. Last years’ tournament was canceled due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. If they are able to play this double elimination tournament this year, the defending National Champion is Central Arizona. The first JUCO Baseball Poll is out. Let’s take a look at the top 5 teams in the poll. These schools could wind up in the JUCO World Series.
Ranked #5 is San Jacinto. This school always seems to find its’ way to Grand Junction. They have been in the JUCO World Series 23 times. They haven’t won it all since 1990. This team is dangerous. San Jacinto can hit and those timely smacks score runs. San Jacinto’s last trip was in 2018. They came so close to winning it all but lost to Chipola in game 18, the game before the National Championship, 11-0. San Jacinto is hoping this year is the year they can end the championship drought.
#4 is Walters State. Walters State Community College advanced to Grand Junction 10 times. They ended as the last team standing in 2006. Walters State made it to Grand Junction in 2019. They won their first game against Cowley Kansas 16-12. Walters State beat Navarro 6-5. They dropped their next game to Iowa Western 14-4, meaning one more loss and their season would end. It ended in game 16 losing to Central Arizona 12-5 in 10 innings. This could be the year for Walters State to end as National Champions if they can continue to play well.
The #3 team is Central Arizona. They would like nothing better than to play their way into Grand Junction. If they do, they will have a target on their back because the other 9 schools will want to knock off the defending champions. Central Arizona is trying to become the first repeat champion at JUCO since Chipola College did it in 2017 and 2018.
Chipola College is ranked #2. They are in one of the most difficult districts, the South Atlantic. This is one of the hardest ones to come out on top year and year out because of how competitive the Florida Community College baseball teams are. Chipola has been to JUCO 6 times and have won it all 3 times. Their last appearance in JUCO was in 2019 but it didn’t last. They dropped both games and were outscored 30 to 18. They are anticipating a better result if they can play their way in. Chipola can be dangerous because of their pitching and hitting. Time will only tell if they can make it to Grand Junction.
The #1 team in the nation right now is Wabash Valley. In their school history, they have two JUCO appearances, 1989 and 2017. They have yet to win it all. Maybe this year is the year for them to do so.
These are the top 5 teams in the JUCO poll right now. Once the tournament starts on May 29th, the ten teams that make it will be seeded 1 through 10. The #1 team will face #10 team in their first game. #2 plays #9. #3 takes on #8 while #4 goes against #7. #5 sees #6 in their first game. It is a double elimination tournament. JUCO is always exciting because these are young men playing baseball at the highest level. Some of them may even turn into MLB “superstars”. Be sure to catch the JUCO tournament to see who will be the #1 team in NJCAA Division 1 Baseball.
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