GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Johnson County Community College is headed to the national championship game after one of the most dramatic finishes in program history Thursday night at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Trailing 9-7 in the bottom of ninth inning, sophomore outfielder Ashton Hartwig launched a walk-off three-run home run to lift the Cavaliers to a thrilling 10-9 victory over Midland College and keep JCCC unbeaten at the Alpine Bank JUCO World Series.
Hartwig delivered a monster performance at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs scored and the game-winning homer. His blast capped a furious comeback by the Cavaliers, who erased an 9-3 deficit entering the bottom of the eighth and rallied with three runs in the eighth and four more in the ninth to punch their ticket to Friday night's championship game against Blinn College at 8 p.m. CST.
Midland struck early, scoring three runs in the opening inning and building a 7-2 lead through four innings behind a pair of home runs from Caleb Eagar. The Cavaliers chipped away throughout the night before breaking through late.
JCCC scored three runs in the eighth inning to cut the deficit to 9-6. Isaac Pamaran delivered a key RBI double during the rally, and Lukas Wilson added a two-run homer to bring the Cavaliers all the way back.
After Midland failed to score in the top of the ninth, Briggs Roe had an RBI single to start the rally in the bottom half of the inning, then Hartwig stepped to the plate and ended the game with one swing, sending the Cavaliers pouring out of the dugout in celebration.
The Cavaliers finished with 13 hits on the night. Boston Bruce went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Roe collected two hits and an RBI, and Wilson finished with two hits and two RBI. Pamaran also drove in two runs for JCCC.
Keston Holman earned the win in relief, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs and striking out five to stabilize the game after Midland's fast start.













