By Jordan Long
The JUCO (Junior College World Series) is here with the first pitch tomorrow at 9:00 AM when Weatherford faces Delgado. A college makes the trek to Grand Junction, Colorado by winning one of 10 districts. This includes Appalachian, East, Mid-South, Midwest, Plains, South, South Atlantic, South Central, South West, and West. Texas is split into Southwest and Mid-South because it is such a big state. Many times there are 2 Texas schools in the tournament.
It is always difficult to get to play in Grand Junction. In fact, 4 schools are making their first appearance in this year’s field. Once the tournament starts, it is a double elimination. Let’s get to know this year’s field.
The Appalachian was won by the Andrew College Fighting Tigers. They are out of Cuthbert, Georgia. This is the first time in school history that they are here. One of the best parts of their game is walks. This is a team that is patient at the plate. They won’t swing at pitches outside the zone, forcing pitchers to work the count. Andrew College has forced 335 walks. This will be the key for them and add traffic for them to win.
The Gaston College Rhinos are from the East district. They are ranked 10th in the country. They are playing in JUCO for the first time. Gaston College was great at smacking the ball for extra base hits. They had 115 doubles and 63 home runs, both ranking 31st in JUCO Division 1 baseball. With the altitude in Grand Junction, the ball will travel further which should be doubles and home runs.
For the Mid South, the Blinn College Buccaneers are the representative, hailing from Brenham, Texas. This is their 7th appearance in Grand Junction but the first since 2014. They have yet to win it all. It could be their year. They are very patient at the plate, earning 439 walks, ranking #1. Blinn will need to do that in the tournament to have success.
The Wabash Valley College Warriors from Mt. Carmel, Illinois won the MidWest. Now this team is ranked #3. They are making their 4th trip to JUCO. They were here last year. They won Game #3 defeating Snead State 11-1, on a run-rule game. In their 2nd game, they got past San Jacinto 10-8. In Game 13 it was a one run victory over Crowder. Their run didn’t last. In game #15 Walters State beat them 8-3. Their season ended losing to Central Arizona in game #16 5-4.
Wabash Valley could be the team to win it all. This team can smack the baseball and they do it well. Their team batting average is .354. They also don’t give up a lot of runs with a 3.53 ERA. Their pitching must be on point for them to have a chance to be #1.
The Johnson County Community College Cavaliers who won the Plains come here as the #2 ranked team. They are out of Overland Park, Kansas. Johnson County is playing here for the 3rd time in school history but the first since 2014. They have never won a game in the tournament. Maybe that will change this year.
Johnson County is great on offense. They have a batting average of .365. When it comes to doubles, they have collected 32. Their offense is going to have to carry them. The goal for them is to win 1 game since they haven’t ever done that in school history. After that, winning the whole thing would be great.
South Atlantic might be the toughest district in JUCO Division 1 baseball. There are so many great Florida teams. The winner is always battle tested and ready for the tournament. The #1 ranked team, the College of Central Florida Patriots out of Ocala, Florida advanced to Grand Junction for the 2nd year in a row and 4th time in school history.
Last year, they played in the first game and beat Cowley out of Kansas 8-2. In game #10, the College of Central Florida lost to Walters State 16-8. Cowley ended their season in game #12, 10-7. They anticipate it will be a longer run this year.
Teams can’t pitch to this team. One mistake and it’s a home run. College of Central Florida has totaled 105 home runs, 4th in the nation. They have a team batting average of .344. That has to carry them to win it this year. Maybe it’s their time to be #1.
After winning the South Central District, the Delgado Community College Dolphins come to Grand Junction, from New Orleans, Louisiana. This is their 6th voyage to Grand Junction. Their overall record at JUCO is 1-10. They are looking to improve that.
Delgado is great when a base runner is on base. They will use a bunt or a sacrifice fly to move the runner into scoring position. Delgado has totaled 28 sacrifice flies 26th in the nation. They also added 11 sacrifice hits. Delgado must move runners to put pressure on the pitchers. That is how they will win games and possibly a national title.
The South district was won by the Shelton State Community College Buccaneers who are from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This is their 6th appearance, but they have never been the last team standing. They would like to change that this year.
The Weatherford College Coyotes come to Grand Junction for the 1st time after winning the Southwest District from Weatherford, Texas. This team relies on the long ball with 89 home runs. That must carry them if they want to do something special this year.
The West district is the one that is closest to Colorado. This year’s winner is Salt Lake Community College. The Bruins are from Taylorsville, Utah, 277 miles from Grand Junction, Colorado. They are here for the first time in school history. The best part of their game is their pitching. They will make mistakes but will limit the opponents. Their team ERA is 4.25. Pitching needs to carry them to win the whole thing.
The tournament begins tomorrow and could end either on June 2nd or 3rd. For the tournament to end June 2nd, there must be only 2 teams left with 1 that hasn’t lost a game yet. If the team that hasn’t lost wins game 18 the tournament is over. If there are 3 teams left, the school that has played the most games in the tournament moves on to the championship game or game 19.
The tournament also has run rules. If a team is up 10 after 5 innings the game is called. Another way the game is over is if a team is ahead 8 after 7 innings. This won’t apply to game 19 since that is the championship game. Enjoy this year’s tournament. The first pitch is tomorrow when Weatherford faces Delgado at 9:00 A.M. Let’s enjoy these 18, 19, and 20 year olds playing baseball at the highest level. You never know, they could be a future star at the MLB level.
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