The Falcons (24-22-1) had a big day at the plate with a stellar pitching performance by Zach Taylor and big hits by Matis Crouwel. Crouwel collected four hits in six at bats, as the East Central College Falcons defeated North Central Missouri College 11-7. Crouwel doubled in the third inning, singled in the sixth inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the ninth inning.
A single by Jack Holubowski put the Falcons on in the lead 1-0 in the top of the first.
The Pirates jumped into the lead 4-1 in the bottom of the first inning.
Toby Goodwin hit a solo home run to left field in the top of the second ECC making it 4-2.
Aidan Gaither doubled down the left field line, which helped East Central tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the third.
East Central College Falcons flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 9-4. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Samuele Bruno that drove in two.
Zach Taylor earned the win for East Central College Falcons. The hurler gave up nine hits and six runs (four earned) over eight innings, striking out six and walking four. Henry Kufa registered the save.
ECC tallied 16 hits in the game. Gaither and Bruno each drove in two runs. Kannon Hibbs, Kufa, and Goodwin each collected multiple hits for the Falcons.
The Falcons advance to the NJCAA Region 16 DII Championship game on Saturday, May 10 at 11AM in Trenton against the winner of Moberly Area and North Central.
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