Epic finale sends South Suburban past Triton for third straight Region 4 title

RIVER GROVE, ILL. - The day began with a Triton College win to force a winner-take-all championship. Then there was a game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth, which was followed by back-to-back four-run half innings in the 11th. It ultimately ended with a game-winning wild pitch in the 12th inning as South Suburban College claimed its third consecutive championship with a 9-8 win in the 2022 NJCAA Region 4 Division I Baseball Tournament on May 14. The top-seeded Bulldogs had numerous players step up, including pitcher James Burke, who was named Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player. Steve Ruzich was awarded the Region 4 Coach of the Year.

South Suburban College narrowly got by fourth-seeded Olive-Harvey College 5-4 in the tournament opener, before Burke worked nearly eight innings in a 7-5 semifinal win over the Trojans. Second-seeded Triton College returned to the championship after a 6-1 decision over Olive-Harvey College in an elimination game, and was able to upset the Bulldogs 7-5 to sent the tournament into the "if necessary" game. Adam Pottinger of Triton College smashed a home run, drove in three runs, and scored two more, while also picking up the save in the championship opener. South Suburban College's Dawson Turner produced three runs, and teammates Noah Gulley and Bradley White both homered in the finale. However, it was a wild pitch from Pottinger that scored the deciding run.

The Bulldogs advanced to the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, from May 18-21. South Suburban College opened with a 4-3 win over John A. Logan College, but eventually saw their season end with losses to Iowa Western Community College by a 14-3 final and Wabash Valley College 11-1. They finished the year 42-19.

Region 4 Division I Most Valuable Player
James Burke - South Suburban College

Region 4 Division I Coach of the Year
Steve Ruzich - South Suburban College