DYERSBURG STATE WINS REGION; PREPARES FOR DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

It took going the full distance, but the Eagles of Dyersburg State beat the Cougars of Cleveland State 26-2 to win the 2024 TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Baseball Tournament.  Cleveland State forced the "what if" game as they came back from a 4-1 deficit in the ninth to walk off with a 5-4 win.  With the championship, the Eagles will host Georiga Highlands for the Appalchian District Championship and the bid to the NJCAA Division Baseball World Series.

In the final game, the Eagles busted otu of the gate to score eight runs on nine hits in the top of the first.  That would be all Cole Cates would need as he went the first seven innings, giving up two earned runs on 6 hits and four walks while striking out three batters.

Edward Mateo, Kobe Benson, and Amir Streeter each would have five hits in the Eagles 26 hit attack.  Mateo and Streeter would each have a double while Benson had a triple. Benson would have four RBIS while Mateo and Streeter each drove in three runs.  Enrique Alvarez, Jr. would have four hits in the contest with five RBIs.  Jake Santos would have three hits and three RBIs in the game while Tommy Melvin would also drive in three runs.

Alverez, Jr. was named MVP of the tournament as he went 14 for 22 at the plate (.636) with a double and three home runs.  He also had 14 RBIs and scored nine runs over the course of the tournament.

The Appalachian District Championship will be a best of three series starting on Tuesday with games on Wednesday with another "what if" game on Thursday, if necessary.

UPDATE:  Due to the possiblity of rain on Tuesday, the district series has been pushed back to a Wednesday start.  They will still play on Thursday, but if there it a "what if" game, it will also be played on Thursday.

TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Runner-Up - Cleveland State