The College of Central Florida Patriots (55-7) will play on Saturday night against Wabash Valley College Warriors (57-12) in the NJCAA National Championship game at the 2023 JUCO World Series after defeating Weatherford College 14-13. The win avenged the Patriots only loss at the World Series and eliminated the Coyotes.

 

The Pats found themselves down 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning when the Pats bats woke up and scored seven runs. Thad Ector's RBI single started the scoring followed by a bases loaded walk to Cole Bullen and a hit by pitch of Bradke Lohry. This tied the game at 3 runs apiece. John Marant and Kareh Valentin kept the rally going when both connected on two-run singles and gave the Pats a 7-3 lead.

 

Weatherford College (53-11) would rally to retake the lead at 8-7 in the fourth inning, but the pesky Pats came right back when Bullen launched his fourth homerun of the season to deep left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. This back-and-forth game would continue as Coyotes first baseman, Robin Villeneuve hit his 30th home run of the season to tie the game at 9-9. It was his second HR of the game. CF wouldn't go away as Austin Eppley singled home a run to break the tie and give the lead back to the Pats at 10-9.

 

In the top of the seventh inning, the Coyotes scored four runs to pull ahead by three runs at 13-10. A three-run home run by Jack Arthur was the big hit of the inning. CF, as usual, was ready for the challenge, and immediately responded when Juan Correa hit a two-run home run, his 22nd of the season, to get the Pats to within one run of the Coyotes. Then, with two-outs and no one on base, Ector squeaked an opposite field HR down the left field line just inside the foul pole to once again tie the game at 13-13.

 

With closer Cam Schuelke on the mound for the Patriots the Coyotes went down in order in the top of the eighth inning. This set up the Patriots historic rally in the bottom of the inning. Mike Guilliams started things off with a walk, followed by two quick outs. Marant singled and Corea walked to load the bases. Another walk to Kainen Jorge gave CF the 14-13 lead. Schuelke would not be denied as he finished off Weatherford when he struck out Arthur to end the game and send the Patriots to the National Championship game. The Patriots will be seeking their first baseball National Championship in school history.

 

The National Championship game will be on Saturday night vs Wabash Valley College at 7:00 PM (MTN) / 9:00 PM (EST). It will air live on ESPN Plus online or in the ESPN App with a subscription.