Oakton has eye on prize in fourth straight trip to NJCAA World Series

The Oakton Community College baseball team didn't need directions to Greeneville, Tenn.

That's where the Division III NJCAA World Series is held, and the Owls have qualified for this weekend's winner-take-all event for the fourth straight season.

In 2018, Oakton beat a powerhouse Tyler (Texas) JC team in the finals to capture the World Series trophy.

The Owls fell short the last three times they played for the national title, but they are back for another run.

"Really proud of the program," said Bill Fratto, this year's Region 4 Coach of the Year. "We work really hard. Every year, our ultimate goal is to get to the College World Series and win a national title. In 2018 ... things can happen. So once you're here, you're at the dance and it's just basically trying to dance. You want to see how far you can go."

Oakton (33-26-1) had to navigate a challenging schedule in the regular season and overcome an injury that limited slugger Brandon Matias (Glenbrook South H.S.) to 28 games.

Matias is back from a hand injury and the Owls head into Saturday's opening game against Rowan College of South Jersey with confidence running high.

Behind Matias, Joey Maynard (Geneva), Jack Dupuis (Glenbard South), Luke Kyprianidis (Prospect), Andrew Smart (Loyola Academy), Aidan Pavoris (Huntley), Matt Vojack (Barrington) and Kyle Moore (Bolingbrook), Oakton got hot at just the right time and beat Owens (Ohio) Community College last weekend to win the District championship and advance to Greeneville.

"Once you a national title like we did, your ultimate goal is to do it again," Fratto said. "That's our goal every year. I mean it's nice to get here, but at the same time you want to win it."