TAMPA, Fla. — Pasco-Hernando State College’s baseball team returned home Wednesday after clinching a spot in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s World Series. They beat number-one seed Brunswick Community College 6-1 Tuesday to take the Division II Southeast District title.
- Team won six straight elimination games to clinch title
- Team led by first-year head coach Lyndon Coleman
- NJCAA World Series begins May 24
- More Pasco County stories
“Feels great," said sophomore right fielder Brayden Lyman. "It was a long five days. It was a tough five days, obviously, starting off 0-1 in the tournament, but it was worth it,”
“We had a tough draw,” said Head Coach Lyndon Coleman of that first game. “We drew the host, Pitt Community College, and they had a couple arms that we knew were going to be pretty bad.”
“We knew that every game was an elimination game coming into it, so we just had to bring the intensity, keep it up, and work pitch by pitch,” said freshman starting pitcher Sean Osceola.
The Bobcats would go on to win six straight elimination games, which included beating the number one Brunswick Dolphins twice. The Bobcats were a three seed.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s an opportunity for the college, and we want to take advantage of it,” said Coleman.
First-year coach finds success
This is Coleman’s first season as head coach with the team, but he’s very familiar with PHSC’s program. He played for the Bobcats in 2009 and 2010 and was hired as an assistant coach three years ago.
“He’s really helped me with a lot throughout the season – just mechanics and just working with my pitches and getting where I want,” said Osceola. “He’s an awesome coach. One of the best I’ve ever had.”
When the Bobcats head to Enid, OK, later this month to compete, it will be the second trip to the series in school history. The first was in 2014 under Coach Steve Winterling, who also established PHSC’s baseball program in 1991.
“Had a chance to work from the bottom up and was fortunate through the years to have some great teams, great players,” said Winterling.
Now the school’s athletic director, he’s closely watched the team’s success this season.
“At Pasco, we’ve never had the draft pick guys or the overall top-notch guys," Winterling explained. "We have a bunch of fighters, guys that believe in themselves, play together, not selfish, and that’s really the key to success in our programs."
After taking some time to rest, the team will begin getting ready to go up against nine other teams in the NJCAA World Series. It’s scheduled to be held from May 24-June 1.