Oakton baseball to compete in NJCAA World Series
Oakton Community College's baseball team has a lot to screech about as the Owls will be participating in the 2018 NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series, May 26-31, at Pioneer Park in Greenville, Tennessee.
The Owls captured their first trip to nationals by defeating Schoolcraft College in the NJCAA District B Championship May 19-20 at Wayne State University in Detroit.
In the two-game sweep, the Owls outscored the Ocelots 29-10. Pitcher Alex Crinigan (Hampshire, Hampshire High School) fanned nine batters over seven innings to notch his 10th win of the season in Oakton's 17-8 victory on Saturday, May 19. On Sunday, pitcher Tommy Gertner (Northbrook, Glenbrook North High School) did not allow an earned run, striking out four batters over six innings to improve to 9-1 on the season in Oakton's 12-2 clinching victory.
First baseman Dan Sullivan (Palatine, Saint Viator High School) provided plenty of offensive fireworks, going 7-for-9 with two home runs and being named MVP of the NJCAA District B Championship.
"This is mind blowing to be part of history," said Sullivan. "During the tournament, I was in the zone and seeing the ball well. I just wanted to make each at bat count. Playing in the World Series, no matter what kind, is the dream of every kid who plays baseball."
Oakton (40-16) is now just one of eight teams standing. The Owls will be competing against other teams from across the nation including Tyler Junior College (29-27), Rockingham Community College (23-19-1), St. Cloud Technical & Community College (19-7) and Northern Essex Community College (26-14).
"For all my years in coaching, this team set a standard for other teams to come," said Owls head coach Bill Fratto, who was named NJCAA District B Coach of the Year. "To advance this far is a total team effort. The kids are playing outstanding baseball at the right time. The team is on cloud nine, but there is still work for us to do."
Sullivan said the team's success this season has a lot to do with chemistry.
"Every time a player steps in the batter's box, our team is going crazy cheering, whether we're up 10 runs or down by 10," Sullivan said. "We're just extremely positive and believe in ourselves and our teammates."
The Owls practiced Tuesday and Wednesday before departing for Tennessee on Thursday.
"This is the beginning of a new season for us," Fratto said. "We'll be playing with the best teams in the nation, but we have a lot of horses who can get it done. The goal is to bring a national championship back to Oakton."
Sullivan said the team is optimistic about competing on the big stage.
"There may be some first-inning jitters when we start playing, but once we step on the field everyone has a job to do," he said. "We'll compete hard and keep doing what we've been doing all season - putting up runs in every inning."
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.