Tiger Baseball Team in, and then out, of World Series

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Tiger baseball team qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series for the fourth time in six years after beating Seward County 13-6 on May 19, but played just two games at the Series. Cowley, which finished with a 43-16 record, lost 15-9 to John A. Logan College of Illinois on May 25, then dropped a 15-4 decision at the hands of San Jacinto North of Texas on May 26. It was the shortest stay for the Tigers in four trips to Grand Junction.

Previously, Cowley had captured national championships in 1997 and 1998, and finished third in 2001. Against John A. Logan, Cowley fell behind 11-3 heading into the fifth inning. But J.R. DiMercurio’s grand-slam home run pulled the Tigers to within 11-8 with a lot of baseball left. John A. Logan hitters, however, had other intentions and went on to a 15-9 victory.

Against San Jacinto, Cowley used five pitchers, with nobody being able to solve the Gators’ offense. Cowley trailed early in the game and never seriously threatened. The game was called after eight innings on the 10-run rule. Cowley reached Grand Junction in typical Tiger fashion, putting on a run late in the season to claim its eighth consecutive Jayhawk East title and sub-regional and Region VI crowns.

Summer 2002