
The East Central Community College Warriors bounced back in dominant fashion at the NJCAA Division II World Series, overpowering Southeastern Community College (Iowa) 13-4 in a run-rule victory that ended in the bottom of the eighth.
The win, a do-or-die elimination game, showcased East Central's big bats and a strong pitching performance from several of ECCC's staff—all punctuated by a base-clearing, walk-off double from designated hitter Pablo Roque, who finished the day 3-for-4 with six RBIs, two doubles, and a stolen base.
After Southeastern opened the game with a solo homer from Owen Sikkink, East Central stormed back with a four-run second inning. Roque got the scoring started with a three-RBI double down the left field line, clearing the bases and shifting the game's momentum. Nic Arender added to the surge with a fielder's choice that plated Roque, giving ECCC a 4-1 lead.
Speed and aggression continued to pressure the Blackhawks, as Briceton Johnson and Roque timed a double steal in the third inning—Johnson swiping home to push the lead to 5-1. Johnson was a force at the top of the order, finishing 3-for-3 with four runs scored, an RBI, a double, and a stolen base.
Though Southeastern clawed back with a pair of solo home runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to trim the deficit to 6-4, the Warriors never blinked.
In the seventh, Langston Cotten ripped a two-run double to stretch the lead to 8-4, and the Warriors exploded for five more in the eighth. John Lewis knocked in two with a single, setting the stage for Roque's second double of the game—this one a missile to the gap that cleared the bases and triggered the run-rule.
On the mound, Cade Morrow (6-2) earned the win, going 4.2 innings and striking out two. The bullpen combination of Hayden Dodson, Nelson Haas, Riley Passman, and Creed Fulton combined for 3.1 innings of solid relief, surrendering just one run over the final frames.
East Central's balanced offensive attack featured contributions from across the lineup: Lewis and Cotten combined for four RBIs; catcher Brady McAbee reached base twice and scored; and Arender, Eli Smith, and Jayden Adcox each added key runs.
The win lifts the Warriors to 45-15 and keeps their championship dreams alive in Enid, and sets a premier rematch for ECCC as the Warriors will take on Pearl River on Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m.