The #4 seeded College of Central Florida Patriots (47-15) finally made it back to the NJCAA JUCO World series after 24 years but didn't have to wait long once they got in as they opened up the 2022 World Series with an 8-2 game one win over the #7 seeded Cowley College Tigers (50-10).

Landon Ginn had the honor to throw the tournaments first pitch as he overpowered the Tigers batters by tossing 6.1 innings allowing only two hits, one run, and struck out eight batters. Mason Ronan (1.1 IP, 0H, 0R, 3K) and Connor Godwin (1.1 IP, 1H, 0ER) closed out the game in relief. Ginn improves to 10-1 on the season.

John Marant put the Patriots on the board early with an opposite field home run in the first inning to give the Pats a 1-0 lead. It was Marant's 11th home run of the season. Jackson Taylor connected on his fifth home run of the season with one out in the second inning to up the lead to 2-0. After Cowley College cut the lead to 2-1 on a Bryce Madron RBI single the Pats would quickly answer. After singles by Caleb Cali and Victor Castillo started the third inning, Nicholas Calero's infield single scored Cali to make it 3-1. As Ginn was handling the Tigers batters the Patriots would get some insurance runs in the sixth inning. Carson Bayne doubled and scored on a Kevin Kilpatrick triple to the right centerfield wall to make it a 4-1 game. Then with two outs Cali doubled home Kilpatrick and Edrick Felix connected on a line drive home run to left field and an 8-1 lead. Cowley would push across a run with two outs in the ninth inning, but it was too little too late as the Patriots were victorious 8-2.

The Patriots will now play in the 7:30 PM (MT) game on Monday night against the #1 NJCAA team in the nation, the Walters State Senators (58-5). The Senators defeated the #10 Seed Harford Fighting Owls 12-6 on Saturday afternoon.

All 2022 DI Baseball World Series games can be watched at https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index on the NJCAA Network. A One Day Pass is $10 or a Full Tournament Pass is $30.