ENID, OKLA. - A dramatic finish closed out a come-from-behind victory for the Madison College baseball team as they remained perfect at the NJCAA Division II World Series. The #2-seeded WolfPack advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 win in 12 innings over #3-seeded Mesa Community College after trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. Sophomore Nick Gile, the all-time RBI leader in Madison College history, ended the game with his seventh home run of the season and gave the 'Pack some revenge from a 12-4 loss to the Thunderbirds on March 17 in Mesa, Arizona. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday for the right to play in the national championship game.

Madison College took a 1-0 lead in the second when sophomore Carl Valk hit a two-out single to center with freshman Carson Holin aboard at second, and Holin was able to race around third and score.



The lead held up as starter Brandon Komar worked a no-hitter through four innings, however, the Thunderbirds picked up three singles against the sophomore in the fifth to tie the score. Mesa Community College took their first lead of the game in the seventh, and made it 3-1 in the eighth after back-to-back extra base hits.

Down to their final at-bats, Madison College mounted a come back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Again with Holin aboard, Valk ripped a ground ball double down the line in left that was misplayed, allowing Holin to score and Valk to reach third. That brought Walker Jenkins to the dish and the second year shortstop came through with an opposite field line drive single to plate Valk and tie the game at 3-3.



In extra innings, the WolfPack presented the first scoring threat in the tenth with runners at first and second with no outs, but a bunt to the catcher and a double-play allowed Mesa to end the threat. In the 11th, Valk doubled to left with one out, however, the sophomore was thrown out trying to advance to third on a controversial play. After a 1-2-3 top of the 12th, Gile, a native of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, was up first for the 'Pack and sent the first pitch he saw over the wall in left to end the game in style (see video in story image at the top of the page).

The long ball was one of two hits for Gile in the game as Madison College owned a 12-8 advantage in hits. Valk, an Appleton, Wisconsin, product went 4 for 5 in the nine-spot in the lineup and produced a run and a RBI. Jenkins, a former Sun Prairie High School athlete, went 3 for 5 with a run driven in. Nathan Aide also had two hits, while Holin, another Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, native, scored a team-high two times without registering a hit.

Komar was outstanding in his first career nine-inning effort, but did not factor in the decision. The sophomore from Elkhorn, Wisconsin struck out seven and held the Thunderbirds to three runs on eight hits and no walks. Fellow second year righthander Eliot Turnquist (3-2) was just as impressive in earning the win out of the bullpen. The former Columbus High School athlete did not allow a hit over his three innings while striking out three and walking one.

The WolfPack have now won 13 straight games, including seven in a row in the postseason.



Up Next:

Madison College (42-9) and Mesa Community College (42-22) will play again on Wednesday in the semifinals after the Thunderbirds again went to extra innings to beat #7 Northeast Community College (NE) by an 8-6 final in an elimination game. The two teams are now 1-1 in postseason meetings with MCC coming out on top of a 2005 NJCAA World Series game. The all-time series stands at 4-2 in favor of the Thunderbirds. First pitch at David Allen Memorial Ballpark is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be seen via NJCAA TV. In the double-elimination format, if Madison College wins, the WolfPack advance to the title game, while a Mesa Community College win means the teams will play again Thursday in another semifinal game.

For more information on the tournament, including live streaming options, click here.

For more information on the other 9 qualifiers, including the Northeast Community College Hawks, click here.

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