The East Central Community College Warriors got it done again in Enid in yet another momentum-swinging, back-and-forth battle. ECCC came out on the positive side of a thrilling 10-9 decision over South Mountain Community College thanks to big bats, and a clutch ninth-inning save from Andrew Nielsen. With the win, the Warriors remain in the NJCAA World Series winner's bracket and will now face the winner of Pearl River and Kellogg on Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m.
The Warriors jumped out to a fast 4-0 lead in the top of the first, sparked by an RBI hit-by-pitch from Briceton Johnson, a bases-loaded walk from John Lewis, and a two-RBI single from Ryan Nelson. East Central padded its lead to 6-0 in the fifth after Nic Arender drove in two more with a single to left.
South Mountain clawed back with a run in the bottom of the fifth and then plated three in the sixth and three more in the seventh, tying the game 7-7 on a three-run homer from Bryan Lorenz.
Brady McAbee responded in a big way in the eighth for ECCC, crushing a two-run home run to left-center that gave the Warriors a 9-7 lead. But South Mountain answered right back with a two-run shot of their own from Bobby Pierce Jr. in the bottom half, knotting things up once again.
In the ninth, Langston Cotten worked a walk and eventually came around to score the go-ahead run on a clutch RBI single from Eli Smith — Smith's third hit of the game. Andrew Nielsen then entered and shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his third save of the season.
Offensively, Smith led the Warriors with a 3-for-5 night, driving in one and scoring twice. McAbee added two RBIs on his home run, while Arender and Nelson also drove in two apiece. ECCC finished with 11 hits and 10 walks drawn, showcasing patience and poise throughout the lineup.
Marbin Lezcano picked up the win in relief, working 2.1 innings despite giving up five runs. Starter Kamryn Carlisle went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
The Warriors improved to 45-14 on the season with the win.