GRAND JUNCTION, CO – In a game that had more twists and turns than CDC guidance in a global pandemic, Indian Hills fell to fourth-seeded McLennan (TX), 13-11 Monday evening, sending the Warriors into the consolation side of the bracket for the remainder of the JUCO World Series.
IHCC, now 44-15 on the season, will have to avoid another loss to remain alive for the rest of the double-elimination tournament in search its first-ever NJCAA Division I National Title. Its next test comes at 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday afternoon as the Warriors have a return engagement with top seeded Crowder College (54-7). The two teams battled in their opening game of the Series as Indian Hills upset the No. 1-seeded Roughriders 10-3, sending Crowder to the consolation side where the 'Riders have since defeated two opponents, including second-seeded Walters State (TN) to earn another shot at the Warriors.
Monday's feature contest saw five lead changes over the nine-inning affair as IHCC couldn't make leads of 2-0, 7-3, 8-3, and 11-9 stand up.
Indian Hills starter Wyatt Wendell lasted just three innings before being taken down after surrendering two homeruns in the fourth inning, bringing the Highlanders' total to four homers in the first four innings. The Warriors entered the bottom of the fourth with an 8-3 lead, but exited the frame trailing 9-8.
Unfazed, IHCC recaptured the lead with a three-spot of their own in the fifth to jump right back out to an 11-9 advantage, but the Highlanders would get to the Warrior pen with three in the seventh and another in the eighth to take the victory.
Charles Lefebvre (2-4) was tagged with the loss with his 1 2/3 innings of relief work. Riggs Threadgill (4-3) collected the win for McLennan (44-16).
IHCC actually outhit McLennan 13-to-11, led by C.J. Castillo's 4-for-6 performance at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored. Noel Perez also shined with a 3-for-5 showing including five RBI, two runs scored and a three-run homer in the second inning. Tucker Ebest and Ricardo Van Grieken each added a pair of hits to the Warrior attack.
JUCO WORLD SERIES
SAM SUPLIZIO FIELD
GAME TWO
Indian Hills 250 130 000 – 11 13 2
McLennan 300 600 31x – 13 11 3
Wyatt Wendell, Nick Marshall (4), Douglas Rojas (5), Charles Lefebvre (7) and Dave Janssen; Brady Rose, Gray Harrison (2), Riggs Treadgill (4), Richard Brinson (7), Jack Williams (7), Landry Wideman (8) and Dominic Tamez.
W – Riggs Threadgill (4-3). L – Charles Lefebvre (2-4). SV - Wideman
E – Van Grieken 2, Santos, Lopez, Tamez. DP – MCC 1. LOB – IH 11, MCC 7. 2B – Van Grieken, Santos, Williams, Greer. HR – Perez, Martin, Lopez, B. Jackson, M. Jackson. RBI – Castillo 2, Ebest, Perez 5, Van Grieken, Martin, Lopez, Williams, Jackson 4, Tamez 2, Greer, M. Jackson 2. HBP – Fortier, Rodriguez, Williams. CI – Perez. SB – Boucher. CS – Fortier.