GRAND PRAIRIE — Howard College's first order of business at the NJCAA Region V Tournament at QuikTrip Field was to find a way to win against No. 10 ranked Grayson College. The Hawks did just that, as they defeated the Vikings handily, 10-5.
After a 2-1 win over New Mexico Junior College and a 7-6 loss to Midland College, Howard was forced to face the Vikings, yet again.
This time, the Hawks found themselves on the receiving end of a 4-1 ballgame Tuesday — as well as eliminated from the postseason despite a solid effort by starting pitcher Diego Rodriguez and relief pitcher Blake Smith.
GRAND PRAIRIE — Again, Midland College is a thorn in Howard College's side.
The Hawks (37-22) were cruising at the NJCAA Region V Tournament, having defeated tough opponents in No. 10 Grayson College, then New Mexico Junior College in the first two rounds of play.
But an unearned run scored by the Chaparrals in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday led to a narrow 7-6 victory, sending the Hawks to the loser's bracket.
Forsan
CLYDE — Forsan have been playing lights-out baseball for the previous few weeks. Most recently, the Buffaloes eliminated rival Borden County from postseason play after a 6-5, extra-inning affair that lasted nearly four hours.
Forsan jumped on Borden early, racking up runs in the first two innings to take a 5-0 lead.
Undaunted, the Coyotes returned the favor in the sixth, scoring four to pull within a run. BC tied it up in the top of the seventh to send the game into overtime.
GRAND PRAIRIE — If you had told Howard College Head Baseball Coach Britt Smith a month ago that his team would be one game away from the Region V championship, he may not have believed you.
All season long, Smith has been critical of his squad's overall effort.
“They are a selfish team,” Smith proclaimed a few weeks ago.
Since then, Smith has changed his tune a bit. And for good reason — the Hawks went up against nationally-ranked Grayson College in the tournament opener and came away with a 10-5 win.
