Eastfield Falls Short to Richland at World Series

AUBURN, N.Y. – Dallas College Eastfield's late push fell short in a 3-2 loss to Dallas College Richland in the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series Sunday.

The win sends the Thunderducks (42-18) on to the semifinals Monday. Eastfield (47-14) meets Camp Community College (35-19) at 11 a.m. CT in the consolation bracket quarterfinals in the double elimination tournament.

Richland overcame a 1-0 deficit in the sixth inning when Trey Smith laced a two-run single to right. Nick Hockemeyer later scored on a balk in the inning to push the Thunderducks' lead to two runs.

Eastfield, which cashed in first on John Jackson's RBI single to the left side, drew within a run in its final at-bat when JJ Bush singled to left to score River Curs. But after Michael Caputo singled to the left side to load the bases with two outs, Richland's Julian Pokorny came on in relief to record the last out.

Richland starter Jacob Smoot (8-3) went 8.2 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits and two walks, and struck out six. Pokorny picked up his second save.

Eastfield starter Jacob Prokarym (8-3) went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, while fanning five. Teagan Rehwald worked a perfect inning in relief, recording one strikeout.

Jackson was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Bush was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. They were the only two batters in the game with multiple hits. Garret Hendricks was 1-for-4 with a stolen base. Smith was 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI. Seth Markham went 1-for-2 with a walk. Jouseph Gelpi, Kelton Phillips and Robby Lopez accounted for Richland's remaining three hits.

After Eastfield won the season series with Richland, 4-2, the Thunderducks have won three straight postseason games between the two teams.