LAKELAND—The Chipola Indians captured the FCSAA State Baseball Championship with a 5-0 win over Hillsborough May 17.
Winning pitcher Philip Sanderson pitched nine scoreless innings. Max Guzman’s three-run homer in the first set the tone for the Indians on offense. A game recap is available at Game recap: http://bit.ly/2rOUiFV
The state title is Chipola’s second in a row. The Indians now head to Grand Junction, Colorado, May 26-June 2, to defend their 2017 JUCO World Series title. National Tournament information is at: http://www.njcaa.org/sports/bsb/2017-18/div1/national_championship/index
Chipola’s only loss in the state tournament was to Hillsborough 8-3 on May 16. But Hillsborough had to play the Indians twice in the double-elimination format.
En route to the title, Chipola beat State College of Florida 10-3 on May 15. Chipola beat Santa Fe 4-1 on May 12. Phillip Sanderson (10-2) pitched the Indians to victory. He lasted nine innings, allowing seven hits and one run while striking out nine and walking one. Max Guzman, Edmond Americaan, and Julio Carrion all had multiple hits for the Indians. Carrion, Americaan, and Guzman each collected two hits to lead Chipola.
Chipola beat Miami-Dade 11-8 in the opening round of the tournament on May 11. Andrew Grogan (8-1) earned the win in 4 innings of work. Jared Howell picked up the save. Morgan McCullough and Jared Howell both went 3 for 4. McCullough also had a triple and 2 RBI.