OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The 13th-ranked Johnson County Community College (45-11) baseball team led by five runs after four innings and three after eight, but Colby managed to tie the game in the ninth and pull out the upset win in the 10th for 12-11 victory.
The loss drops the Cavaliers into the consolation bracket. They will face Fort Scott Community College (37-20), who lost to Hutchinson Community College 15-2, at 1 p.m. today at Eck Stadium in Wichita, Kan. A second loss in the tournament forces elimination. Johnson County can still come back to win the Region VI title by winning the consolation bracket.
Sophomore outfielder Anthony Amicangelo, the team's MVP, had a big night, going 5-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. Amicangelo is now batting .494 on the season, which ranks fourth in the NJCAA.
Sophomore second baseman Mason Hartman and sophomore All-American first baseman Malik Williams each collected three hits, including a double for each. Hartman drove in three runs and scored three times, while Williams had two RBIs.
Sophomore right-hander Zachary Ebert got the start. He allowed six runs of seven hits over six innings. He also struck out six batters. Dylan Bierman, Sloan Thomsen, Paul Rector, Will Heller and Jon Moll pitched the final four innings, and allowed six runs of six hits and just two strikeouts.
Cameron Tilly hit two home runs an drove four, and Matt Coutney hit a solo homer to power Colby's offense.