By Ken K. Green Gordon College’s dream run to a national championship came to an end Friday night as the Highlanders lost to San Jacinto-North of Houston, Texas 7-1 in Grand Junction, Colorado and were eliminated from the NJCAA World Series. Gordon’s Cinderella season ends with a 39-25 record and will likely be ranked third in the final national poll after finishing third in the tournament. The Highlanders had their chances early in the game but left six runners on base in the first four innings. Five of those were in scoring position. The Highlanders would strand ten base runners for the night. After three and a half scoreless innings, the Gators scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead. They would add two in the fifth and one in both the sixth and seventh. Gordon’s lone run came in the ninth when Michael Stemle, pinch running for Jody Stone who had doubled, scored on a base hit by Devin Bonin. Stone also had a base hit in the contest. Drew Adams doubled and singled. Bobby Woodall and Grant Massey had a pair of hits each. Brian Jacobs added a single. Zach Smith took the loss on the mound pitching three full innings. He allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three and was pulled after giving up a leadoff triple to start the fourth. Andrew Fessler went 3.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out three. Dylan Griffin worked two thirds of an inning and struck out two. San Jacinto will play Iowa Western Saturday for the JUCO championship.
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