2009 NJCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 23,2009
Sam Suplizio Field; Grand Junction, Colorado
Dates: May 23 - 30, 2009
Tournament Director: Jamie Hamilton
205 N. 4th St.
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Ph: 970-243-6600
Fax: 970-243-3914
Tournament Website: www.jucogj.org
Tournament Qualifiers
Western District (Regions 1,9,18)
Western Nevada College (45-12)
Southwest District (Region 5)
Howard College, Texas (58-1)
South Central District (Regions 2,16,23)
Seminole State College, Okla. (40-18)
Central District (Region 6)
Cowley County Community College Kan. (47-13)
Northern District (Regions 4,11,24)
Iowa Western Community College (39-22)
East Central District (Regions 7,17)
Middle Georgia College (43-18)
Eastern District (Regions 10,15,20)
Spartanburg Methodist College, S.C. (54-7)
Southeastern District (Region 22)
Shelton State Community College, Ala. (43-16)
Gulf District (Region 8)
Santa Fe Community College, Fla. (32-20)
Southern District (Region 14)
San Jacinto College, Texas (43-9)
May 30, 2009
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Howard College (Texas) baseball team capped off an unbelievable season Friday, May 29, by accomplishing their top goal of the year - winning a national championship. The Hawks, which garnered national headlines this baseball season with a record-setting 57 game winning streak, won their 63rd game of the season by defeating Santa Fe Community College (Fla.) 7-4 in 10 innings in the title game of the 2009 NJCAA Division I JUCO World Series in Grand Junction. 
A national audience watching on Altitude TV witnessed one of the best title games in recent memory. The two clubs were locked in a 3-3 tie for four innings heading into the top of the ninth with two outs until Howard's Andrew Collazo connected for just his fourth hit of the tournament - a towering home run that sailed over the left field wall to give the Hawks a 4-3 lead.
Santa Fe then sent the game into extra-innings when Keon Broxton doubled to the gap in left-center field, which scored Jardian Thomas who led-off the inning with a double. Broxton's hit almost won the game for the Saints as Tyler Cook, who drew a walk, tried to score from first on the hit but was called out on a very close play at home plate. Had Cook scored, it would have forced a second championship game on Saturday.
Howard was able to load the bases in the top of the 10th when Santa Fe pitcher Andy Mee walked in the go-ahead run for the Hawks. Collazo, who was named the tournament's best defensive player, then came up big again for Howard with a two-out, two-run single to put the Hawks up 7-4.
Santa Fe was able to get runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th, but Howard's Will Calhoun shut the door on the Saints to complete a remarkable championship season for the Hawks.
Howard ends the 2009 season with an astonishing 63-1 record, which is the best mark of any championship team in the history of NJCAA baseball. The Hawks also set a NJCAA record for most consecutive wins with their 57-game winning streak earlier in the year.
For tournament stats and to order a DVD of the championship game visit http://www.jucogj.org/.
Photos courtesy of Buddy Bair (Buddy Bear Photography)
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