Posted: Feb 04, 2022
Some of the best junior college baseball teams are in Panama City Beach this weekend, including four teams that competed in the 2021 NJCAA Divison 1 World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Panama City Beach College Baseball Classic is hosted by Gulf Coast State College, Visit Panama City Beach, and Perfect Game.
Fortunately the tournament is being played on the artifical turf baseball fields at the Panama City Beach Sports Complex because heavy rains went through the area delaying many of the opening day's games. The Indians game was originally scheduled for 3 PM, but the game didn't get started until three hours later.
Preseason NJCAA #6 ranked Wabash Valley College, playing their first game of the 2022 season, started the scoring in the fourth inning. The Warriors took advantage of a walk, base hit, and an error to load the bases then a fielder's choice plated the game's first run. Chipola starter, Drew Howard was able to limit the damage getting the next batter to fly out and hold the Warriors to a 1-0 lead.
The Indians would miss an opportunity for a big inning in the bottom of the fourth. After Wabash Valley allow the first three Chipola hitters to reach base, a strike out and a double play prevented the Indians from taking back the momentum.
The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning. After two quick outs, freshman outfielder Shane Lewis belted his second home run of the season over the right field fence.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cesar Franco reached on a lead off walk and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jake Holland. After a tough nine pitch at-bat that resulted in a strikeout of Peter Vazquez, Zac Rice stepped to the plate and delivered a soft liner into right field that scored Franco from second.
Ben Fielder (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win coming on in relief of Howard. Fielder entered in the fifth with two outs and did not allow a hit or run while striking out two in 2.1 innings to get the win. Howard struck out seven in 4.2 innings of work and allowed one run on three hits.
Chipola will face their second preaseason top ten team in as many days at 11:30 AM on Saturday. #8 Miami-Dade College advanced to the second round with a 12-6 victory over Wallace Community College - Dothan. Miami-Dade and Chipola have won the last four FCSAA Championships with Chipola winning in 2017-2019 and Miami-Dade winning in 2021. There was no tournament in 2020 due to the COVID Pandemic.
Following the first game on Saturday, the Indians will play a second game at either 3:30 PM, if they lose, or 6:00 PM, if they win. You can view the tournament bracket here.