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Pioneers take runner-up trophy in regional tourney
The Pioneers dropped a 11-1 fiveinning decision to Alvin Community College Tuesday night as the Dolphins earned a trip to the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction later in the month. "We just ran out of gas and our pitchers had been taxed," said WCJC coach Bob Nottebart. WCJC eliminated South Zone champion San Jacinto College 5-4 earlier in the day. The Pioneers came out of the losers bracket to win four straight games after dropping a 6-1 decision to Panola in Saturday's tourney opener. On Sunday morning, the Pioneers rallied to beat Panola 8-7 in extra innings. Then on Monday, WCJC beat East Zone champion Navarro 5-4 and Angelina 5-2 before the clock ticked midnight. The Dolphins handed the Gators a 7-6 extra inning loss on Monday night. Alvin had to only play four games "I think that it just speaks to the character of the guys on this team," said Nottebart. "I told them after the first game that we have nothing to lose and to go out there and have fun. "It was real emotional because they realized it was going to be the last time we were all probably going to be at one place together again." The 4-2 record was WCJC's best effort in the tournament which cranked up in 1995 when the Pioneers started playing baseball again. "When you get to the tournament anything can happen," said Nottebart. "It's a crazy game that can humble you quickly." The 2002 WCJC team went 2-2 The Pioneers missed playing in the tournament 2006-07 after going 0-2 in 2005 and 1-2 in 2004. Last year's team finished at the bottom of the South Zone standings with a 5-25 record. "I'm just so proud of these guy because they took such a beating last year," said Nottebart. "Some people wanted to give up on them but I wouldn't. I think it shows a lot about the kind of kids they are and what they were able to accomplish." Nottebart also mentioned other persons who patted his team on the back. "I've gotten a lot of compliments from people (coaches and umpires) about the way our kids handled themselves." "We try to play the game the right way and respect it. We don't go out there to talk to the other team and act like idiots." Nottebart hopes the success will carry over to next season as he singled out freshmen Justin Korenek, Mike Clark and Trey Ross as building blocks. "They stepped up, competed and battled," said Nottebart. "You can't coach that and that has to come from inside." WCJC split it's six games with Alvin during the zone season. "Alvin was hot and we just ran into a buzz saw," said Nottebart. "We didn't want to go into a tournament saying that we want to come in second," said Nottebart. "But give the obstacles thrown at us, I couldn't be prouder of our people." Nottebart will keep busy over the next three weeks, recruiting players for next year. WCJC scored it's lone run in the elimination game in the top of the first. Alex Johnson singled with one out and went to second on a hit by Reno Malay. Cody Ross was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Bryan Mizenmeyer fouled out to right field and Johnson scored on the sacrifice. Alvin answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. The Dolphins exploded for seven runs in the fourth and the game ended in the top of the fifth. Meyer had WCJC's only other hit, a single in the fourth inning. Jake Liedka started for the Pioneers and pitched into the fourth. Zach Weyland and Payton Pawlosky also took the mound. Tourney Roundup Here are the results from the NJCAA RegIon XIV Baseball Tournament played at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant:Tuesday's Results WCJC 5, San Jac 4 Alvin 11, WCJC 1 Monday's Results WCJC 5, Navarro 4 WCJC 5, Angelina 2 Angelina 7, Blinn 5 Alvin 7, San Jac 6 (10) Sunday's Results WCJC 8, Panola 7 (11) Blinn 15, Texarkana 13 Alvin 10, Navarro 6 San Jacinto 7, Angelina 2 Saturday's Results Angelina 6, WCJC 1 Navarro 10, Blinn 0 Alvin 5, Texarkana 3 San Jac 11, Panola 1 |
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