The #2 seed Roadrunner Baseball team has arrived in a familiar position as they begin their next quest -- competing for an NJCAA Division III National Championship!
Thanks to some power hitting from third baseman Alex Apicella (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Carter Cumiskey (2 hits, 3 RBIs), Nick Slogik (2 hits, 3 RBIs), and Jack Mustaro (2 hits, 2 RBIs), the Runners built a late lead and held on to beat #1 seed Dallas College-Eastfield, 12-10, in a national semifinal Tuesday in Johnson City, TN.
That win vaulted RCSJ, the three-time defending national champion, into tonight's championship series vs, #3 SUNY Niagara. This will not be an easy series as the Runners must win twice to earn a fourth straight crown.
But there is little doubt among the players that the Runners are ready for the challenge.
"We've been here before and we've won before," said reliable lead-off hitter Joe Maier, who also delivered 2 hits and an RBIs vs. Dallas-Eastfield. "We're confident with our lineup -- hitting and pitching -- that we're going to get the job done."
Third baseman Alex Apicella, who has been a solid hitter throughout the postseason, knows tonight's series will be tough but that the Runners are ready for prime time.
"The beauty of our lineup is that we might get an out but we know the next guy will get it done," he said. "We all feel loose at the plate. Having this type of lineup takes the pressure off any one individual."
Against Dallas-Eastfield, the Runners fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning, but Apicella lifted the team with a solo home run while Slogik ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the frame for a 2-1 RCSJ advantage. The Bees then rebounded to grab a 4-2 lead before the Runners erupted for 3 in the fourth and 5 in the fifth to take a commanding 11-5 advantage. Cumiskey continued his hot hitting with a key RBI double in the fourth and 2-run double in the fifth.
The Runners could never get comfortable, however. Eastfield's Jayden Boyd and Sebastian Palma delivered RBI singles in the ninth inning to move the Bees' closer at 12-10 before the Runners' notched the final out to punch their ticket to the championship round.
Tonight's championship series will get started at 7 pm and will be a highly anticipated matchup. Watch for updates.