Johnson County Community College’s dream season on the baseball diamond continues, and the Cavaliers now have a chance to win it all.
JCCC survived a wild game Thursday night in Grand Junction, Colorado, storming back from a six-run deficit to defeat Midland College 10-9.
The winning margin was provided by a three-run walk-off home run by Ashton Hartwig.
CARDIAC CAVS DO IT AGAIN😱⚔️
ASHTON HARTWIG WITH THE BIGGEST SWING OF HIS LIFE TO WALK IT OFF FOR @JCCCBaseball AND MAKE IT TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP💣💣@ESPNAssignDesk | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/jxB85YXDvi
— NJCAA Network (@NJCAANetwork) May 29, 2026
The victory puts JCCC in Friday night’s national championship game of the JUCO World Series against Blinn College.
At one point against Midland, JCCC — which entered the postseason with a 62-3 record — fell behind 8-2 and looked like they’d improbably be handed their fourth defeat.
They were still behind 9-3 going into the bottom of the eighth when they started to mount their comeback.
The Cavaliers scored three runs in the eighth to cut the deficit to 9-6.
Then, a ninth-inning rally began with three straight singles by Colin Coonradt, Boston Bruce and Briggs Roe. With two men on, Hartwig delivered the decisive blow, a home run over the right field fence.
One more win would cap a historic season for the Cavaliers that has brought an unusual amount of national attention to the JCCC baseball program.
The team’s record 41-game win streak this season garnered ESPN’s coverage.
National baseball writer Jeff Passan, himself a Johnson County resident, profiled the Cavaliers, calling them “the best baseball team you don’t know.”
On Thursday, JCCC’s comeback brought on more praise, including a mention on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
.@JCCCBaseball with a shoutout from @notthefakeSVP on @SportsCenter as well 👀 https://t.co/izMNvIc2nO pic.twitter.com/pRBe5AX8KQ
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) May 29, 2026
If JCCC wins one more game, this would be the program’s first-ever JUCO baseball title.
The Cavaliers are set to play Blinn College Friday night.
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