Beeville, Tx- For the Second Round of the NJCAA Division III District C East Divisional Tournament, Coastal Bend College faced the Brookhaven College Bears at Joe Hunter Field. The Cougars had previously beaten the Mountain View Lions the day before, 8-6 to advance while Brookhaven beat Cedar Valley College in the Bottom of the Ninth, 6-5.
Coastal Bend decided to go with Freshman Lefty, Nolan Cox on the hill.
The Bears opened the game up with two runs in the Top of the First. After a quick inning for the Cougars, Brookhaven expanded their lead to five, with a three run inning in the Top of the Second.
Cox's outing would be short lived as he only pitched an inning and a third while giving up five runs on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Relief Pitcher, Luis Martinez entered the game in the Top of the Second inning to replace Cox on the bump. Martinez handled business on the mound for his performance, allowing the Cougars to get back in the game.
During the Bottom of the Third inning, The Cougars scored three runs to trim the five run deficit. Center Fielder, Kody Kolb drew a lead off walk to begin the inning. Right Fielder, Kyler Bumstead hit a Single up the middle as Kolb hustled to Third Base. Both Kolb and Bumstead ended up scoring off a Double from First Baseman, Kyle McShaffry. Shortstop, JB Trees would switch places with McShaffry as he laced a pitch for a RBI Double for the third run of the inning.
As the game progressed, the Fourth and Fifth innings would be held scoreless by both clubs.
In the Bottom of the Sixth inning, Coastal Bend found the scoreboard again, to take the lead by crossing the plate four times. After hitting a Double, Kolb scored a run following a Single from McShaffry. With Bo Gonzales reaching base off a Single, and McShaffry to Third, the Coach Bauerle called for a Double Steal. Gonzales would get caught in a pickle heading for Second, while McShaffry stole Home to tie the ball game up, 5-5. Gonzales would retreat to First base to be called safe. Catcher, Cooper Coe drew a Walk to move over Gonzales into scoring position. Trees would hit a 2 RBI Double down the Left Field line to score Gonzales and Coe from First Base as the Cougars would take a 7-5 lead.
Martinez continued to deal for the Cougars, pitching five and two thirds of an inning to go with his six strikeouts.
Cody Vega entered the ball game in the Eighth inning to relieve Martinez on the mound. Vega pitched one inning for the Cougars, allowing only one hit and recording a strikeout for his performance.
After a quick inning for CBC in the Bottom of the Eighth, the Cougars turned to Closer, Trent Sholders. Brookhaven trailing 5-7 in the Top of the Ninth, Sholders slammed the door shut on the Bears with one strikeout.
Martinez would earn his Fourth Win on the year, as Sholders recorded his NJCAA DIII leading, 14th Save.
The Cougars advance to the District C East Divisional Championship Game where they will face Brookhaven College for the second time, as they beat Cedar Valley 10-7. Coastal Bend will play at Joe Hunter Field on Saturday, May 11th at 1:00 PM.