Even after winning, the work never ends for Wildcats

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The work never ends for the Western Nevada Community College baseball team.

Immediately after the Wildcats' 2-0 win over Delgado Community College of New Orleans in their opener of the JUCO World Series at Sulplizio Field, the Wildcats' pitchers were throwing a bullpen session. Among those who were throwing a bullpen session on Saturday was Justin Garcia, who will start Monday's 1 p.m. game against New Mexico Community College in a winner's bracket contest.

It could be a daunting task for Garcia, who will be facing the nation's No. 1 team that had 19 hits in a 14-12 win over Georgia's Young Harris.

But WNCC coach D.J. Whittemore said the approach won't change against New Mexico. He said the key will be to keep the ball down against New Mexico.

"I know we have to go out and score runs," Whittemore said. "I don't think anybody's expecting to put nine goose eggs on the board. "He (Garcia) is going to throw low strikes and (we'll) play good defense behind him."

WNCC went 0-1-1 against New Mexico early in the season, losing 2-1 and settling for a 5-5 tie after leading 5-2.

GREAT ATMOSPHERE

The JUCO World Series is everything it's cracked up to be. It's claimed that the electricity is every bit as good as the NCAA Division I College World Series in Omaha, Neb., and there's nothing disputing that on the first day of the tournament.

The 9 a.m. game drew a crowd of nearly 7,000 fans and the primetime game between WNCC and Delgado drew about 9,000 fans.

CINDERELLA TOURNAMENT?

Only four of the 10 teams who made it to the World Series finished the regular season ranked nationally: No. 1 New Mexico, No. 11 San Jacinto College of Texas, No. 13 Cowley County Community College and No 15 Spartanburg Methodist College of South Carolina. Iowa Western Community College finished with one vote.

ON THE WEB

A gametracker of all the World Series games is on jucogj.org. KTMM 1340 Radio is broadcasting all of the World Series games on the internet. And fans can keep track of all of WNCC's games at www.nevadaappeal.com where live updates will be provided throughout all of its contests.

• Contact Charles Whisnand at cwhisnand@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1214.