Jones College opens NJCAA World Series with 8-4 win over State College of Florida

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Jones College started the NJCAA Division II World Series with an 8-4 victory over State College of Florida at Tyger River Park on Wednesday. The Bobcats, making their first appearance against the Manatees, jumped out to an early lead and maintained it through the game, advancing in the winner’s bracket.

Jones (47-10) scored eight runs in the first two innings and never relinquished the lead. In the first inning, Madison Sawyer drove in the first run with an RBI-single, followed by Annaston Tate’s RBI-single and Addy Shorter’s sacrifice fly, giving the Bobcats a 3-0 advantage. The team extended their lead in the second, with five more runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-run single from Tate and a two-run single from Farrah James.

Madison Sawyer pitched four scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing only four hits. She left the game in the fifth inning, with reliever Morgan Landry finishing the final three innings. Landry struck out three and allowed one earned run, earning her second save of the season.

State College of Florida (36-21) mounted a comeback in the fifth and sixth innings. Jamie Sepsick and Bree Urban each delivered RBI-singles in the fifth, trimming the lead to 8-2. Urban added a two-run single in the sixth following a Jones throwing error. Sawyer’s early dominance helped secure the win for Jones, which totaled 11 hits in the game. Tate led with a 2-for-4 effort and three RBIs, while James and Sawyer each contributed two hits and RBIs. Andersen finished 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

Jones pitcher Sawyer improved to 20-2 this season, the first Bobcat to reach 20 wins since 2019. Dava Hoffer was credited with the loss for SCF after surrendering eight runs in 1.1 innings. The Bobcats will face No. 2 Murray State at 3:30 p.m. CST Thursday. Live video and stats are available through NJCAA.org and the NJCAA website.

Source: Original Article