05/31/2026
Full Recap from the final day of the 2026 Baseball Season. The Cougars fall 4-3 (11 innings) to Pearl River CC (MS) in the National Championship Game at the 2026 NJCAA DII World Series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla.
Down to his final strike, freshman Will Strand drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 3-3. However, the Wildcats' Ethan Garner hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to lift his team to the National Championship.
Earlier in the day, SMCC staged a dramatic comeback in the top of the ninth to defeat Pasco-Hernando State College (FL) 8-6 to claim a berth in the National Championship. Trailing 6-4, freshman Aidan Murphy hit a two-run single to tie the game, sophomore Bryan Lorenz scored on a wild pitch, and sophomore Jack Meissner drove in sophomore Gavin Short with a two-out, RBI triple. Freshman Izaiah Moraga locked down the bottom of the frame as the Cougars advanced to Saturday's finale.
For their efforts, Lorenz, Murphy, freshman pitcher Cody Stoller, and freshman shortstop Liu Rodriguez Jr. earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Stoller received Pitcher of the Tournament honors, Lorenz earned Offensive Player of the Tournament honors, and Rodriguez Jr. received Defensive Player of the Tournament honors. South Mountain CC also received the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Recap, Box Score, and Photo Galleries: https://smcccougars.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2025-26/releases/20260530t8bkhl
All Pictures Courtesy of the NJCAA. Attached Photos are mixed between both games today. Thank you to the NJCAA for their generous photo galleries throughout the World Series.
