PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (352today.com) – With their season on the line, the College of Central Florida (CF) Patriots (39-17) delivered two thrilling ninth-inning comebacks on Sunday at the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 Final Four tournament—setting the stage for a winner-take-all showdown Monday against Florida Southwestern State (43-15) and a shot at the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.

In their first elimination game of the day, CF trailed Gulf Coast State College (36-16) from the first inning until a dramatic rally in the top of the ninth. Down 4-1, the Patriots chipped away with key at-bats from Miles Curley, Anthony Diaz, and Jacob McKenzie. A sacrifice fly from Marcus Bradshaw tied the game at 4-4, and Logan Chapman’s two-out RBI single gave CF its first lead. Closer Jose Paniagua shut the door with a strikeout and infield popup to end the game and the Commodores’ season.

Victor Martinez, wearing jersey number 21, embraces CF head coach Marty Smith as teammates cheer in the dugout during a Region 8 tournament game.
Jose Paniagua, wearing a red CF baseball uniform, winds up to pitch during a college baseball game, with runners and fans visible in the background.
Victor Martinez of CF, wearing a red jersey and helmet, high-fives a coach at third base after hitting a home run during a college baseball game on a sunny field.
Kohl Kilkrease of CF, wearing a red jersey and white pinstripe pants, delivers a pitch toward home plate during a tournament game, with the batter and umpire in the foreground.
Dawson Harman of CF, wearing a red jersey and white pinstripe pants, applies a tag to a sliding runner at third base during a tournament game, as an umpire watches closely.
Jose Paniagua looks upward in celebration as Jacob McKenzie, wearing catcher’s gear, hugs him while CF teammates gather on the field after a tournament victory.
Gio Mendoza, in catcher’s gear, braces for a play at the plate as a Florida Southwestern runner dives headfirst toward home while an umpire moves in to make the call.
Marcus Bradshaw of CF, wearing a red jersey and blue helmet, swings and hits the ball during a baseball game, with opposing players watching from the dugout in the background.
Courtesy: Heidi Kearney/College of Central Florida

The win pushed CF into the championship round against top-seeded Florida Southwestern. With the Patriots needing to win twice to advance, they exploded for an 18-14 win in a wild, back-and-forth game that saw another clutch ninth-inning surge. Trailing 14-13 in the final frame, Victor Martinez crushed a go-ahead three-run homer, followed by two insurance runs on a Gio Mendoza groundout and a wild pitch. Paniagua pitched a perfect ninth to seal the win.

Bradshaw (2 hits, HR, 3 RBI), Martinez (2 hits, HR, 6 RBI), Diaz (3 hits, HR, 3 RBI), and Mendoza (2 doubles, RBI) fueled the offense, while Hunter Jones and Paniagua combined for four critical innings on the mound.

Monday’s decisive game against Florida Southwestern scheduled for noon at Charlotte Sports Park, has been postponed to Tuesday at the same time.

More news that matters to you…