Southeastern Makes Run to National Championship Game
The Southeastern Blackhawks' 2023 baseball season came to an end against Heartland (Ill.) in the Championship series on Saturday. The Blackhawks were just two wins away from their first-ever NJCAA National Championship.
Tournament Recap:
As the No. 6 seed, Southeastern faced the No. 3 East Central in the first round. They left zero doubt coming away with a 12-2 win in six innings, via run rule. Second baseman Taichi Nakao went 4 for 4 including a home run, a double, and three RBI. Caleb Wulf also knocked in three runs while outfielder Bryce Phelps connected for three hits of his own.
In the next round, the Blackhawks went up against South Arkansas, the No. 7 seed. Once again, the offense was hot all game long and Southeastern cruised to a 10-2 victory in eight innings, another run rule victory. Four pitchers were used for Southeastern to get through the eight innings and they gave up just two runs while striking out 13. Cole Yearsley had three hits, four RBI, and a two-run homer in the action. Vasin Thurman collected four RBI of his own at the plate, going 2 for 4.
In the semifinals, Southeastern faced the No. 2 seed Lansing twice. The Blackhawks dropped the first game 5-3 but were still alive after only suffering their first loss of the double elimination tournament. SCC played Lansing again the following day and got back to their winning ways, defeating Lansing 12-4, and advancing to the Championship Series. The Blackhawks scored 12 runs on 12 hits, including five hitters having multi-hit games.
Southeastern pitcher's Casey Perrenoud and Gage Pearson collected the 27 outs, with each pitcher giving up two runs and striking out three. The Blackhawks opened up the game in middle innings, scoring seven runs in the third and fourth. It was all small ball and pressure in those innings, while scoring three games via two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly in the third. In the fourth, a two-RBI single by Sam Skarich, a sacrifice fly by Nakao, and Skarich stealing home were how the Blackhawks rose their lead to 7-1. Lansing would fight back making it 8-4, but a four-run ninth inning all but closed the game. In the action, Reymon Paulino had two hits of his own, including a solo blast in the sixth inning.
In the Championship, Southeastern would need to win two games to become champions, but they fell 8-6 to #1 seed Heartland (Ill.) in the first game. Southeastern starter, Carlos Escobosa, only lasted 3.2 innings after giving up six runs, six hits, and four walks. Heartland took an 8-1 lead into the sixth inning. There the Blackhawks railed with four of their own and scored another in the seventh to make it an 8-6 ballgame. Southeastern couldn't find another rally in them, losing the Championship Series. The Blackhawks' offense struck out 12 times and only five different hitters reached base via a hit.
Tournament Schedule:
First Round: #6 Southeastern def. #3 East Central, 12-2 – Box Score
Quarterfinals: #6 Southeastern def. #7 South Arkansas, 10-2 – Box Score
Semifinals: #2 Lansing def. #6 Southeastern, 5-3 – Box Score
Semifinals: #6 Southeastern def. #2 Lansing, 12-4 – Box Score
Championship: #1 Heartland def. #6 Southeastern, 8-6 – Box Score