Game one of the NJCAA D1 College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., opened with two teams from the Lone Star State, Texas. The game matched #18 McLennan Community College Highlanders (38-18) up against #15 San Jacinto-North Gators (41-20). The Gators are regulars to the World Series in Grand Junction, making their 20th appearance to the tournament. While the Highlanders make their 5th appearance. The Gators being back in the tournament gave the outlet for San Jacinto fans in Grand Junction come to the game in force.
All the fan support out at Suplizio Field cheering on the Gators and no one, but their own fans cheering on McLennan. The McLennan Highlanders scored in the first inning silencing the vast majority of fans cheering for San Jacinto. McLennan found a way to win in a pitchers duel 3-1 on top of San Jacinto. The other two runs for the Highlanders scattered throughout the game, one in the 5th and the other in the 9th. San Jacinto scored their lone run in the bottom half of the 9th.
Not only did the game end as a low scoring game, but stellar defense on display as well. In the middle of the game a routine ground ball to right fielder for San Jacinto, Josh Palacios, turned into a play at the plate. Palacios fielded the ball coming up throwing to home plate where he threw the McLennan runner out at home. McLennan moves into the winners bracket playing Walters St. in the next round. San Jacinto-North goes into the losers bracket playing Delgado in the first elimination game in the NJCAA D1 World Series.
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