The JuCo World Series Preview
It is that time of year again. The season has come down to 10 teams, 8 Days, 19 Games, and 1 National Champion. This year is a stacked lineup with 86 Trips, and 12 National titles between these 10 teams. The #1 Juco Prospect, The Potential National Player of the Year, a Repeat National Champ these 10 days are going to be some of the best baseball you could see.
Here is how all 10 teams looking coming into The World Series-
Central (Region 6)- #31 Barton Cougars (KS) 47-13 (1st Trip)
Coming out of Region 6 is no easy task. Having to get past teams such as Cowley, Hutchinson, and Seward County in order to get to Grand Junction. Barton has been Ranked as high as 26 but spending most of the season in the mid 30’s. They come into the Tournament ranked #31. They are riding a 3 Game win streak into Grand Junction. After winning out in the Losers Bracket and having to be Cowley Twice in order to get in.
Barton Won the KJCCC West Conference Title, their first since 1994.
As a team they are Hitting .336 on the season which is 24th in the country. They are Top 10 in Doubles (4th-148), Triples (6th-34), and Hits (8th-648) this year. Their big leaders at the plate are So C Brett Bonar (.413 Avg, .498 Obp, 21 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 67 RBI, 53 Runs), So C Kaden Fowler (.407 Avg, .466 Obp, 28 2B (2nd in Country), 5 3B, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 78 Runs) and So INF Carson Engroff (.364 Avg, .428 Obp, 12 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 46 Runs).
As a pitching staff, they have a .266 Opponent Batting avg and have a Staff ERA of 3.81. The go-to starter for the Cougars this year has been So LHP Josh Hendrickson (15 Starts, 11-2 (6th), 5 Complete Games, 91.1 IP, 120 K’s (4th), 2.17 ERA, 11.82 K/9). Their number 2 is Fr RHP Zach Curry (12 Starts, 7-0, 2 Complete Games, 71.0 IP, 68 K’s, 4.44 ERA, 8.62 K/9).
East Central (Regions 7,17)- #1 Walters State Senators. (TN) 56-6 (8th Trip, Last was 2015)
These guys haven’t left the Top 3 All year. Starting out at #3 and never looked back. They have been Ranked #1 for over half of the season. They Currently have the Best Record in the Country. Coming into Grand Junction they are on an 11-game Win Streak outscoring their opponents 134-42
Won the TCCAA Conference Title
The Senators are one if not the best offensive team in the country this year. They are ranked in the top 10 in 10 different categories. 1st in Total Bases (1230), 2nd in Runs (673), Hits (715), and RBI (597), 3rd in HR (103), Extra Base Hits (280), 4th in Doubles (148), 5th in Batting Avg (.368) and Slugging % (.632) and 7th in Sac Flies (35). Leading the way for them at the plate for them this year has been So 3B Austin Henry (.459 Avg (9th in country), .538 Obp, 22 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 77 RBI (10th), 72 Runs) and So INF Hunter Wolfe (.429 Avg, .537 Obp, 11 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 80 Runs (7th), 39 SB (4th.
On the mound, they are just as impressive. With a Team ERA of 3.64 with an opponent batting avg of .225 (8th). There top two starters this year have been So RHP Hayden Lehman (16 Starts (2nd), 12-3(2nd in wins), 81.2 IP, 115K’s (8th), 4.30 ERA, 12.67 K/9) and So RHP/INF Landon Knack (14 Starts, 13-0, (Leads Country in wins), 85.2 IP, 107 K’s, 2.31 ERA, 11.24 K/9).
Eastern (Regions 10,15, 20)-#23 Monreo Mustangs (NY) 36-14-1 (1st Trip)
Coming down the stretch they did what they had to do. They are riding a 7 game win streak coming into this weekend. They have slowly worked their way up in the rankings. They started the Season out at #60 this year and have worked their way up. Most of the season they sat in the mid 50’s jumping up to #23 in the last rankings.
4 time Defending Region XV Champs.
As a team, the Mustangs are hitting .267 as a team with a .375 Obp. Leading the way at the plate for them is season has been Fr SS Marquis Orozco (.333 Avg,.476 Obp. 9 2B, 19 RBI, 9 SB) and Fr IF Juan Torres (.310 Avg, .393 Obp, 2 2B, 2 3B, 9 RBI)
On the mound, they have a staff ERA of 3.78 and an opponent batting avg of .211 (3rd in Country) 10 Shutouts (10th). The two top Starters they have are Fr RHP Francisco Justo (11 Starts, 9-0, 63.2 IP, 112 Ks (10th in the country), 2.12 ERA, 15.83 K/9 (4th)) and So LHP Antonio Frias (9 Starts, 8-0, 4 CG, 3 Shutouts (3rd), 55.1 IP, 102 K’s, 1.07 ERA (2nd). 15.56 K/9 (5th)
Gulf (Region 8)- #14 Chipola Indians (FL) 42-16 (5th Trip, Defending National Champs)
They started off at #1 but soon dropped down. Playing in the state of Florida is one of the Toughest Leagues in the county. They haven’t dropped out of the Top 20 all year. Coming into this weekend they are ranked #14. They have currently won 5 of their last 7 games. Losing in the FCSAA Championship series in the first game and having to win the winner take all game the next day.
Panhandle Champs
At the plate, the Indians are hitting .306 as a team with a .402 Obp, with 59 Home runs as a team. Leading the Indians this season has been So C/INF Max Guzman (.420 Avg, .554 Obp (6th), 11 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 58 Runs) and So Of Edmond Americaan (.409 Avg, .492 Obp, 8 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 67 Runs, 14 SB)
On the mound this seasons they have a staff Era of 3.66 and an opponent batting avg of .257. Holding it down for them on the mound this season has been Rs-Fr Phillip Sanders (17 Starts (2nd), 11-2 (7th in wins), 2 CG, 1 Shutout, 102.2 IP (1st), 2.63 ERA, 82K’s, 7.19 K/9) and So RHP Andrew Grogan (16 Starts (4th), 8-2, 3 CG, 94.0 IP (3rd), 3.06 ERA, 84 K’s , 8.04 K/9)
Northern (Region 4, 11, 24)- #4 Iowa Western Reivers (IA) 53-5 (18th Trip, Last was 2016)
35 Straight wins. Yes, you read that right. They have won 35 Straight games, gone a perfect 24-0 in conference play. They started off the season at #11 and never fell out of the top 15 all season. The Reivers are one of the most common faces in Grand Junction going 8 times in the past 10 years walking away with 3 National titles (2010, 2012, and 2014).
Region XI Champs.
At the plate, these guys have hat a hot season. Hitting .362 (7th in Country), .470 Obp (6th). They are 4th in Triples with 36. Leading the charge for them is So OF Tyler Reichernborn (.427 Avg, .523 Obp, 14 2B, 8 3B (9th in Country), 5 HR, 49 RBI, 58 runs, 19 SB) and So INF Ryan Sullivan (.382 Avg, .475 Obp, 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 Hr, 39 RBI, 41 Runs)
On the Mound, the Reivers have been just as impressive. 1st in the Country in Shutouts (22), 1st in Opponents Avg (.165), 5th in Team ERA (1.85). Their leaders on the mound have been Rs-So RHP Sean Chandler (12 Starts, 11-0 (7th), 5 CG, 2 Shutouts (2nd), 68.0 IP, 1.06 ERA (1st in Country), 114 K’s (9th) 15.09 K/9( 7th))and So RHP Indigo Diaz (11 Starts, 11-0 (7th in Wins), 3 CG, 2 Shutouts (9th), 96 K’s, 1.44 ERA (4th), 13.86 K/9(9th)).
South Central (Regions 2, 16, 23)- #6 Jefferson Vikings (MO) 53-10-1 (4th Trip, First since 2012)
These guys have worked their way up there rankings this season. Their first appearance in week 11 and haven’t looked back. They are currently ranked #6 in the country. They came out of the South Central Distracting having to go to the final game to decide who was going to get the bid.
Region XVI Champs
Offensively these guys can Score. They are 4th in the Country in Runs Scored with 595, they have 654 hits which is 7th in the country and have 150 Doubles which is good enough for 4th in the country. They are hitting .351 as a team and have a .464 Obp (9th) which is in part to being walked 345 times as a team (6th). Leading the way for the Vikings at the dish this season has been Fr Inf Joey Polak (.464 Avg (7th), .554 Obp (5th), .986 Slg % (2nd), 97 Hits (2nd), 80 Runs (9th), 19 2B, 30 HR (1st), 102 RBI (1st)) and So UTL/P Justin Perkins (.383 Avg, .500 Obp, 15 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 63 RBI, 86 Runs (2nd), 17 Sb)
On the mound for the Vikings this season they have put up a 2.56 ERA, with a Batting Avg Against of .247. Leading the way on the mound for them has been Fr Jason Rackers (13 Starts, 10-1, 74.0 IP, 2.68 ERA, 95 K’s 11.55 K/9) and Fr Austin Hicks (9 Starts, 10-0, 46.1 IP, 3.11 ERA, 53 K’s, 10.29 K/9)
Southeastern (Region 22)- #16 Chattahoochee Valley Pirates (AL) 48-10 (4th Trip, Last was 2016)
Getting out of Alabama can be a tough one and when you can Sweep your way through the State/Regional Tournament that is more than enough momentum to carry into Grand Junction. They have sat right outside the top 25 for most of the seasons. They are currently ranked #16 the highest they have been all season. They are currently on a 6 game win streak.
4th State titles in 5 years.
At the plate this season they are hitting .354 (8th) as a team while having a .450 Obp. Leading the way for the Pirates this season has been So Util Rankin Woley (.458 Avg (10th), .515 Obp, 26 2B (3rd), 1 3B, 11 Hr, 89 RBI (4th))and Fr 3B Davis Schwartz (.396 Avg, .492 Obp, 12 2B, 4 3B, 4 Hr, 39 RBI)
On the mound for the Pirates, they have thrown 15 Shutouts (2nd) with a 2.48 ERA (6th) and a .237 Avg Against. Caring the load for them this season has been So LHP Cole Ganopulos ( 14 Starts, 10-0, 82.0 IP, 1.32 ERA (3rd), 83 K’s 9.11 K/9) and So RHP Jacob Menders (13 Starts, 11-1, 60.2 IP, 2.41 ERA, 59 K’s, 8.75 K/9).
Southern (Region 14)- #5 San Jac Gators (TX) 49-13 (23rd Trip, 4th Consecutive)
San Jac is the Most common team to make their way to Grand Junction. They have gone 23 Times bring back 5 National Titles (1990 was the last). They have been a staple in the top 10 this season. They have been ranked as high as #1 but have spent most of the seasons moving around the top 5.
4th Consectsecutive trip to Grand Junction. Region XIV Winner.
At the plate this year the Gators have been as hot as ever. Hitting .330 as a team with a .427 Obp. They are 9th in the Country in Extra Base Hits. Leading the way this season has been a pair of Freshman Outfielders. Tyriece Silas (.418 Avg, .484 Obp, 12 2B, 4 3B, 20 RBI, 38 Runs, 15 SB) and Alerick Soularie (.403 Avg, .514 Obp, 17 2B, 8 3B (9th), 46 RBI, 61 Runs, 22 SB)
On the mound, the Gators have a 2.73 ERA (9th), and a .208 Batting Avg Against (2nd). They have thrown 3 Shutouts this season. The leaders on the mound have been So LHP Jacob Cantleberry (15 Starts, 12-2 (2nd in wins),75.1 IP,2.99 ERA, 89 K’s, 10.63 K/9) and So RHP Devon Roedahl (15 Starts, 8-2, 70.0 IP, 1 CG, 1 Shutout, 2.70 ERA, 75 K’s 9.64 K/9) with Fr RHP Trey Dillard (17 App, 2-0, 7 SV, 20 IP, 1.80 ERA, 30 K’s 13.50 K/9) the #1 Juco Prospect by many coming out of the pen
Southwestern (Region 5)- Temple Leopards (TX) 35-23 (3rd Trip, Last was 2010)
Region 5 this year is one of the major storylines of the world series. Despite being the last team eliminated and having 2 losses Temple gets the bid instead of Cisco or McLennan who were playing in the Championship but due to a Rule violation, both teams were eliminated giving Temple the bid. Don't let this fool you. Temple beat the number 1 seed from the NMJC and then got to the winner's bracket championship then losing to Cisco. Temple is Currently Ranked 50 out of all D1 Jucos. They haven’t dropped out of the top 100 this season though.
Temples Offence is hitting .321 for the season with a .408 Obp. While hitting 44 Home runs. The leaders for the Leopards offensively have been Fr 2B Breck Potvin (.360 Avg, .448 Obp, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 Hr, 23 RBI, 21 SB) and So SS Joey Orsak (.353 Avg, .411 Obp, 13 2B, 3 3B, 10 Hr, 37 RBI).
On the mound, this season Temple has posted a 4.78 ERA with a .310 Batting Avg Against. The go-to guys for the Leopards this season have been So Cody Wolf (16 Starts, 10-4, 5 CG, 2 SV’s, 90.1 IP, 3.29 ERA, 9.37 K/9) and So Ryan Keesee (13 Starts, 5-4, 2 CG, 1 SV, 68.0 IP, 3.44 ERA, 79K’s, 10.46 K/9)
Western (Region 1, 9, 18)- #15 Southern Idaho Eagles (ID) 48-10 (10th Trip, last was 1993)
Coming out of the West region brings one advantage. These guys play in a Wood bat League until they get to Colorado. The Eagles doubled the number of wins that they had from 2017. Beating powerhouses of Arizona Western and Trinidad State. They have been ranked as high as 15 this season which is their most recent. They have moved up every week this year. They are caring a 6 game win streak into Grand Junction
Region XVIII Champs, SWAC Champs
At the plate, this season the Eagles have hit .283 with a .391 Obp. Leading the way this season is Hayden Letham (.369 Avg, .446 Obp, 19 2B, 6 3B, 7 Hr, 73 RBI, 10 SB) and Travis Bohall (.318 Avg, .376 Obp, 10 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 21 SB)
On the mound, this season the Eagles have a Staff ERA of 3.21 (13th), a Batting Avg Against of .211 (4th), and 11 Shutouts (7th). Leading the charge on the mound has been Mason Foltz (14 Starts, 11-2 (7th in wins), 80.1 IP, 3.02 ERA, 63k’s, 7.06 K/9) and Dylan Steen (13 Starts, 10-1, 8 CG, 87.2 IP, 2.05 ERA, 83 K’s, 8.52 K/9)
The JBB Prediction:
This bracket could literally go anyones way. All are great teams with a chance to win the whole thing. Looking at it My pick for the National Championship game is going to be Chipola vs Walters State. With Walters State coming out on top beating Chipola 2 times during these 10 days. With San Jac Finishing 3rd, Iowa Western 4th, Jeff Co 5th, Temple 6th, Monroe 7th, Southern Idaho 8th, Barton 9th and Chatt Valley 10th.
