MCC falls to Pearl River Community College

 ENID, OK — Less than 24 hours after ending a decade-plus program drought, Monroe Community College Baseball took the field at David Memorial Ballpark in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series.  

Miguel Matos (Rochester, N.Y/East High) turned in a career-high effort on the mound, but it wasn't enough as the No. 10 Tribunes (38-9) dropped a 7-1 decision on Sunday to No. 2 Pearl River CC (47-11).

Matos started and hurled six innings for Monroe. 

"Miguel did what we needed him to do today," said MCC head coach Dave Brust. "He gave us a chance to win." 

The sophomore right-hander set down the side in order in the first. After giving up two runs in the second and three more in the fourth, he hurled a pair of shutout frames to finish off his outing. 

One day after the Tribunes used four pitchers to defeat Iowa Central Community College, 16-9, Matos provided some rest for the MCC bullpen.  

"That was really important for us right now," Brust said. 

Matos had gone five innings in three separate outings prior to Sunday. He threw five shut out earlier this season in a win over Arizona Christian JV and also went the distance in a mercy-rule shortened victory at Bryant & Stratton (OH) on April 14th. During his first season, Matos threw five innings in a win over Genesee CC. 

Sunday's six-inning effort represented the longest of his career. 

Matos struck out five including the fifth inning when fanned the side in order. He set down two more on strikes in the sixth before getting a fly ball to leave the bases loaded. 

The loss snapped MCC's seven-game winning streak including six straight in the postseason. 

Thomas Woodridge (Fayetteville, N.Y/Fayetteville-Manlius) scored the lone run for the Tribunes in the seventh inning. The first-year third baseman drew a walk before advancing to third on an errant pickoff attempt. He scored on an RBI groundout from Michael Sardou (Rochester, N.Y/Churchville-Chili).

Aaron Reina (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili), Braedon Reina (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) and Josh Skuce (Toronto, ON/Michael Power St. Joseph's) had a hit apiece for the Tribs 

Tyler Cannon (Webster, N.Y/Webster Schroeder) and Tanner Holmes (Allenford, ON/Owen Sound District) drew a walk apiece. Cannon also stole a base.

Luke Lance (Toronto, ON/Birchmount) hurled a scoreless inning of relief with two strike outs. 

Pearl River's Drew Harrison tossed eight shutout innings to pick up the win. The right-hander struck out eight and walked two. 

Jackson Beddoe and Jackson Hood both finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. 

Pearl River, which entered the tournament ranked No. 3 in the country, entered action scoring more than nine runs per game and averaging better than four extra-base hits per game. The Wildcats are seventh in Division II with 102 home runs. 

On Sunday, Pearl River (Mississippi) managed nine hits, two for extra bases (a double and a triple). 

Monroe will face Frederick (MD) of Region 20 in an elimination game on Monday (Memorial Day). A 10 AM (CST) first pitch is scheduled. 

MCC's win over Iowa Central CC on Saturday was the program's first World Series win since 2008.