The Sinclair Pride took care of some major business over the weekend when the team won the Ohio Community College Athletic Association conference tournament.
On Sunday, April 26, Sinclair (32-10, 13-2 OCCAC) defeated Cuyahoga Community College 9-5 to clinch its 10th OCCAC title in school history. The Pride earned an automatic berth to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 12 Tournament held in Battle Creek, Mich.
Heading into the double-elimination tournament the second-seeded Pride matched with Cuyahoga in Saturday’s first round. Sinclair scrapped its way to an early win, defeating Cuyahoga 7-5. Sophomore Taylor Hoisington led the way with three RBIs.
Game two of Saturday’s action belonged to sophomore pitcher Billy Kitchen. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout against rival Owens for a 6-0 victory.
After dominating the opposition the day before, the Pride brought their bats to the championship game on Sunday.
In a rematch with Cuyahoga, the Pride scored five runs in the bottom of the first to jump out to an early lead that would not be lost. Again, Hoisington led the way with three RBIs and two runs scored. Freshman pitcher Zach Botjer relieved starter Jacob Robinson after three innings. Botjer threw four innings of one-run ball to help the Pride clinch the title.
The Region 12 tournament begins on May 8 with the winner advancing to the World Series.