The College of Central Florida Patriots (39-17) knew their backs were against the wall entering play on Sunday at the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 Final Four tournament after losing to Florida Southwestern on Saturday. The Pats would have a Sunday to remember as they rallied in the ninth inning of both games to win and set up a winner take all game on Monday for the right to go to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
In the first game on Sunday the Patriots trailed the Gulf Coast State College Commodores (36-16) the entire game until the ninth inning magic. The Pats entered the ninth inning down three runs. Miles Curly led off with a double followed by an Anthony Diaz walk. Jacob McKenzie singled home Curley to make it a 4-2 game. A walk and a groundout by Tanner Swank got the Pats within one run. Marcus Bradshaw hit a ball to the right field wall for a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4-4. Logan Chapman's two out single gave CF their first lead of the game at 5-4. Gulf Coast would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth when CF closer Jose Paniagua entered the game and induced an infield flyout and a strikeout that ended the game and the Commodores season.
The win in game one sent CF to the tournament championship game against Florida Southwestern State (43-15). Since the Pats came out of the losers bracket, they have to beat FSW twice to win the tournament. This was a game for the ages as another ninth inning rally by the Patriots gave them an 18-14 win and set up the winner take all game on Monday. In the final inning down 14-13, the first two batters got on base to set the table for Victor Martinez's go ahead three-run homerun. The Pats weren't done yet as they plated two more runs on a Gio Mendoza groundout and a wild pitch. Paniagua set the Bucs down in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Bradshaw (2H, HR, 3 RBI), Martinez (2H, HR, 6 RBI), Diaz (3H, HR, 3 RBI),and Mendoza (2 2B, RBI) powered the offense while Hunter Jones (2.0 IP, 3H, R, 4K) and Paniagua (2.0 IP, 0H, 0R, 2K) led the pitching staff.
Monday's championship showdown with FSW is set to begin at Noon at the Charlotte Sports Park, weather permitting.