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KINSTON, N.C. – Tyler (Texas) won its third consecutive national championship Wednesday, defeating Northern Essex (Mass.) 4-3 in the final game of the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series. The Apaches are just the second program to win three straight DIII baseball titles, accomplishing the feat for the first time since Madison (Wis.) won three consecutive championships from 1995-97.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alex Masotto came through in the clutch with Tyler’s only two RBIs on the evening. The right fielder hit a two-run double, scoring fellow sophomores Nathan Methvin and Mason Mallard to give the Apaches a 4-3 lead that they’d ride to victory.
Mallard enjoyed an efficient night at the plate, reaching base in 4-of-5 plate appearances. The left fielder went 2-for-3, drew two walks and scored two of Tyler’s four runs in the victory. Methvin was 2-for-4 hitting on the night, while Apaches freshman shortstop Hunter Wells went 2-for-5 at the plate.
On the mound, sophomore Weston Smart contributed a solid start for Tyler. The right-hander surrendered three runs – two unearned – on four hits in six innings of work. Freshman Austin Cernosek pitched a scoreless seventh inning in relief for the Apaches, while usual starter Jonathan Groff closed out the game with his first save of the season. The sophomore registered five strikeouts in 1 2/3 perfect innings.
Northern Essex put up the first runs of the game in the top of the third inning. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Roper scored on a wild pitch, followed by a pair of unearned runs scored by sophomore outfielders Colby Maiola and Ellido Reyes. Freshman designated hitter Xavier Nunez recorded the Knights’ lone RBI of the night on a single that scored Reyes.
Staring up at 3-0 deficit entering the fifth inning, the Apaches came to life when Northern Essex committed two crucial errors. Wells and Mallard scored a pair of unearned runs to cut the Knights’ lead down to 3-2. Masotto’s two-run double in the bottom of the sixth proved enough to clinch the 4-3 win.
Groff was presented tournament MVP honors after going 1-0 and tallying a save in two appearances. The left-hander pitched 10 2/3 innings on the week, holding opposing batters to just seven hits and one unearned run. Groff compiled 13 strikeouts in his two games on the mound. Sophomore pitcher Ryan Cheatham joined Mallard and Wells as the three all-tournament selections for the Apaches.
Tyler’s run to the title began Saturday with an 11-1 opening round win over Century (Minn.) and followed with an 8-3 victory against Suffolk County (N.Y.) in Sunday’s quarterfinals. Monday, the Apaches posted their first win over Northern Essex with a 10-0, eight-inning semifinal victory.
The Apaches notched the fourth national championship in the history of their baseball program. Tyler previously won the NJCAA DIII Baseball World Series in 2007, 2014 and 2015.
Photo courtesy of Tyler Athletics.