SALUQIS BASEBALL TEAM WINS REGION TOURNEY

The Southwest baseball team captured its first ever TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII championship on Friday night, defeating 5th-ranked Walters State 2-1 at Engel Stadium in Chattanooga.  The Saluqis, now 40-20 on the season, will play on the road this Thursday through Sunday in a best of three series against Middle Georgia College in Cochran, GA with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division I World Series in Grand Junction, CO, May 29-June 5.  Southwest's wins in the tournament were against Columbia State, Walters State, and Hiwassee.  The Saluqis' only loss in the double-elimination tournament was to Walters State.

In the championship game, Saluqis' catcher Nick Smith doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning, then after Walters State pitcher Boodle Clark struck out the next two batters, Smith scored the go-ahead run when Kyle Watkins reached first on a throwing error.  Walters State broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh as Jon Edmonds led off with a single, advanced to third on a two-out throwing error, then scored on a single by Clark.  In the bottom of the seventh, Mark Schildmeier led off with a single, Brad Tillman walked, then Ryan Orr bunted into a 1-5 fielders choice.  Dustin Shields then singled to drive in Tillman from second with the tying run.
Southwest starting and winning pitcher Daniel Adams went eight innings, allowing seven hits, one unearned run, and striking out six.  Saluqis' closer Drew Buford retired the final three Walters State hitters to pick up his 14th save of the season. 

Tennessee Baseball Report TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII All-Tournament Team

Photos from TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament