NCMC baseball concluded a record setting season 1 win away from a NJCAA DII World Series berth. The team fell in the final championship game to 4th ranked Heartland Community College after defeating the Hawks in the first championship game to for the "if needed" matchup. Here is a full breakdown of all the NJCAA DII Central District Tournament games.
Game 1: North Central Missouri College put together a strong offensive showing with 12 hits and seven runs, but ultimately fell short in a 10-inning battle against Heartland CC in the opening round. Julio Guerrero powered the offense with a home run and two RBIs as part of a two-hit performance, while Cesar Grau also homered and scored twice. Jordi Ventura was a consistent presence at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, and Alejandro Paz contributed two hits, a stolen base, and an RBI. Eduardo Chourio added a key RBI and also swiped a base, while Truman Bodenhausen chipped in with a run-scoring sac fly. On the mound, Wilmer Jimenez, who also played third base, took the loss despite a solid 3.1 inning effort in relief, following appearances by starter Max Wagers and fellow reliever Alex Smith. The loss sent NCMC into the loser's bracket of the tournament.
Game 2: NCMC put on a dominant offensive performance in their 14-1 win over East Central College in their first elimination game, avenging their defeat to the Falcons in the Region 16 tournament. The game was highlighted by a balanced attack throughout the lineup. Javier Suarez led the charge with a 3-for-5 day, including a triple and a home run, scoring three times and driving in one. Julio Guerrero also starred, going 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, and two walks, racking up three runs and two RBIs. Alejandro Paz and Eduardo Chourio each contributed two RBIs, while Chase Maddox and Truman Bodenhausen both drove in two runs as well. On the mound, Dylan McIntyre was sharp, earning the win with five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out seven. The team's flawless execution at the plate and McIntyre's steady pitching sealed a convincing victory.
Game 3: The Pirates delivered another outstanding performance in their elimination matchup against Vincennes University, cruising to a 13-1 victory behind a well-rounded offensive and defensive effort. Javier Suarez set the tone at the top of the lineup with a 3-for-4 day, including a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Alejandro Paz starred at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 and scoring three runs. Wilmer Jimenez was clutch with runners on, driving in four runs and adding a double and a sacrifice fly. Eduardo Chourio contributed both at the plate and in the field, collecting a hit, drawing a walk, and helping turn a double play. On the mound, Hikaru Mikami improved to 7-1, allowing just four hits and one earned run over five solid innings while striking out three in the complete game victory.
Game 4: North Central Missouri College outlasted Heartland Community College in a thrilling 15-14 extra-inning slugfest to force the "if needed" championship game in the Central District. The game was powered by explosive performances up and down the lineup for both squads. Jordi Ventura led the NCMC charge with a 4-for-6 day that included two home runs and three RBIs, while Javier Suarez added three hits, including a triple, and stole a base. Julio Guerrero also made his mark, going 2-for-6 with three RBIs and two doubles. Wilmer Jimenez chipped in a solo homer and handled closing duties on the mound, while Ventura earned the win with 4.1 innings of relief work. Despite surrendering 14 runs, the Pirates' offense piled up 16 hits and capitalized on key opportunities to pull out the exciting win in 11 innings.
Game 5: NCMC ran out of gas in the ultimate championship game of the NJCAA DII Central District Tournament, ending their season 1 win shy of reaching the JUCO World Series. Despite a tough 17-4 loss to Heartland Community College, several North Central Missouri College players turned in strong performances at the plate. Javier Suarez led the offense, going 3-for-5 with an inside the park home run to start the game, two RBIs, and a stolen base. Chase Maddox also delivered, collecting two hits—including a double—and driving in two runs. Wilmer Jimenez and Eduardo Chourio added three hits apiece, with Chourio also contributing a scoreless inning of relief on the mound. Starter Ethan Walker took the loss, surrendering four runs in 1.1 innings pitched. In total, the Pirates racked up 15 hits but were unable to overcome Heartland's offensive outburst.
NCMC finished the year with a mark of 36-16. The 36 wins is the most in school history, topping the previous high of 26 wins in both 2021 & 2024.
Numerous Pirates put their mark on the single season and career record books. Here is the full listing:
SINGLE SEASON:
Hits: Javier Suarez 93 – 1st Place
Runs: Javier Suarez 63 – 2nd Place
Runs: Julio Guerrero 61 – 3rd Place
RBI: Wilmer Jimenez 60 – 2nd Place
RBI: Eduardo Chourio – 4th Place
RBI: Jordi Ventura 53 – 5th Place
RBI: Julio Guerrero 52 – 6th Place
HR: Jordi Ventura & Julio Guerrero 11 – T3rd Place
HR: Wilmer Jimenez 10 – T5th Place
AVG: Javier Suarez .454 – 3rd Place
AVG: Julio Guerrero .400 – T6th Place
ERA: Alex Smith 3.44 – 6th Place
Wins: Hikaru Mikami 7 – 1st Place
Appearances: Alex Smith 20 – 5th Place
Saves: Wilmer Jimenez 7 – 1st Place
Saves: Alex Smith 4 – T2nd Place
CAREER:
Hits: Julio Guerrero 148 – 2nd Place
Hits: Jordi Ventura 127 – T5th Place
Runs: Julio Guerrero 131 – 1st Place
Runs: Alexjandro Paz 100 – 4th Place
Runs: Jordi Ventura 87 – 5th Place
Runs: Wilmer Jimenez 83 – 6th Place
RBI: Jordi Ventura 120 – 1st Place
RBI: Wilmer Jimenez 109 – 2nd Place
RBI: Julio Guerrero 95 – 3rd Place
HR: Jordi Ventura 23 – 1st Place
HR: Wilmer Jimenez 19 – 2nd Place
HR: Julio Guerrero 18 – 3rd Place
SB: Julio Guerrero 42 – 4th Place
AVG: Javier Suarez .454 – 1st Place
AVG: Julio Guerrero .453 – 2nd Place
ERA: Alex Smith 4.20 – 5th Place
Wins: Eric Torrero 10 – 1st Place
Appearances: Alex Smith 32 – 3rd Place
Saves: Wilmer Jimenez 8 – 1st Place
Saves: Alex Smith 5 – 4th Place