WATERLOO – The NIACC Trojans are regional champions.
And when it comes to the game of baseball, that’s a first.
NIACC topped Iowa Central 8-6 in dramatic come-from-behind fashion to claim the Region XI title Tuesday afternoon at a steamy Riverfront Stadium.
“We have great kids,” NIACC coach Travis Hergert said. “They were phenomenal – absolutely phenomenal from day one.
“I am so happy for them. Winning people – we have great people at NIACC.”
NIACC (26-16) advances to the North Plains district championship Saturday and Sunday in Miles City, Montana. Miles City Community College and Dakota County Technical and Community College are the other two teams in the North Plains district.
NIACC trailed 6-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning and rallied for five runs to take a 7-6 lead. The Trojans tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning to make it 8-6.
Sophomore right-hander Tim Black recorded the final five out to gain the save and give the Trojans their first-ever regional baseball title.
“That was his ball game,” Hergert said of Black, who beat Iowa Central 6-0 on Sunday. “He said he was fine and he wanted it. There was no other guy I’d rather have out there than him.”
Sophomore AJ Hrubetz pitched 2 1/3 innings to gain the win allowing one run with two strikeouts and no walks.
NIACC 8, Iowa Central 6
Iowa Central 000 023 100 – 6 14 1
NIACC 001 100 51x – 8 13 1
Brandon Shulista (2K, 2BB), Alex Hayden (3) (1K, 0BB), Vinny Crivaro (6) (0K, 2BB), Nate Steger (7) (0K, 0BB), Will Kenny (8) (0K, 1BB) and Matthew Molbury. Lucas Bakker (4K, 1BB), Jeremy Cronk (6) (0K, 1BB), AJ Hrubetz (6) (2K, 0BB), Tim Black (8) (2K, 1BB) and Robert Swenson. W – Hrubetz; L – Crivaro. 2B – Tyler Peyton (IC), Justin Threlkeld (IC) 2, Swenson, Hunter King (N). Multiple hits – Threlkeld 4, Andy DeJesus (IC) 2, Brett Guba (N) 3, Alex Stuart (N) 2, Drew Verstegen (N) 2, King 2. Multiple RBIs – Christian Abilla (IC) 2, Stuart 2, Max Waletich (N) 2, Ryan Voves (N) 2.
