NCCC headed to Region III Final Four

NCCC headed to Region III Final Four

Niagara County Community College knocked off upstart Cayuga Community College in a best-of-3 Region III quarterfinal series this past weekend at Sal Maglie Stadium. The Thunderwolves (38-8), ranked No. 5 in the latest NJCAA Div. III poll, advance to this coming weekend's Region III Final Four at Veterans Memorial Park in Little Falls. NCCC, which is seeded second in the tournament, will open the event against No. 3 Finger Lakes Community College at 5 p.m. Friday.

Cayuga CC 11, Niagara CCC 7

Freshman southpaw Erik Johnson took just his second loss of the season despite seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Kyle LaPlante had two RBIs, while sophomore Matt Kruszka was 3-for-4 and classmate Troy Banks added a hit, RBI and two runs scored.

Niagara CCC 10, Cayuga CC 0

Sophomore Gunner Becker moved to 7-1 on the year as he allowed just one hit and struck out 10 in six innings of work. LaPlante led the offense again as he ripped two doubles and drove in four runs. Kruszka was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and sophomore Garrett Baugher also finished 2-for-2.

Niagara CCC 10, Cayuga CC 2

Sophomore lefty Keegan Ernest improved to 6-2 as he posted seven Ks in 6.2 innings. Sophomore Garrett Boldt was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Kruszka finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored and freshman Sam Mullen chipped in with a hit, RBI and two runs scored.