BASEBALL: Chaparrals Seek to Make a Strong Post-Season Run

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletics Director

Midland College Baseball
2023 NJCAA Region 5 Baseball Tournament
Weatherford, TX (May 12-16)

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Last weekend the MC Chaparral Baseball team concluded the regular season versus New Mexico Junior College.  On Friday the Chaps suffered back-to-back losses, in Hobbs, by scores of 11-8 and 10-7.  The teams moved to Midland for Saturday's twin bill at Christensen Stadium with the Chaps taking game #1 5-3 but losing the second game 15-14 in a hotly contested affair.  

The Chaparrals finished the regular season with a 41-13 record and finished in second place in the WJCAC at 25-11, five games back of NMJC. 

MC qualifies for the 2023 NJCAA Region 5 Baseball Tournament in Weatherford, Texas (at Roger Williams Ballpark) where they will take on McLennan Community College (38-18) in Friday's opening game at 10:00 a.m.

Live-Stream of 2023 NJCAA Region 5 Baseball Tournament

The Region 5 Baseball Tournament takes the top four teams from the WJCAC (New Mexico JC, Midland, Odessa and New Mexico Military Institute) and the top four teams from the NTJCAC (Weatherford, Temple, McLennan and Grayson) in an eight-team, double-elimination tournament.  The winner of the Region 5 Tournament advances to the 2023 NJCAA Division I Baseball Championship Tournament in Grand Junction, CO (May 27-June 3). 

Unfortunately for all eight 2023 Region 5 Tournament qualifying teams weather is expected to impact the event.  Weather forecasts show a 50-60% chance of rain on Friday in Weatherford with winds 15-25 MPH. 

Weather Forecast from weather.gov/

This season the Chaps have displayed strong and balanced plate production as well as solid and stable performances on the mound.  The Chaparrals rank in the NJCAA's Top 20 in several statistical categories in 2023:  6^th in doubles, 10^th in XBH, 10^th in slugging percentage, 11^th in batting average; 13^th in on base percentage, 20^th in runs scored, 20^th in total hits, 20^th in RBI, 21^st in triples and 25^th in homeruns.  The MC pitching staff also leads all NJCAA Division I colleges in total shutouts with 15.

Midland College and McLennan Community College are very familiar opponents having faced one another in three post-season games during the 2022 Region 5 Tournament, including in the championship and "if" games.  The Chaps won the quarterfinal matchup 6-3 with the Highlanders taking the "championship" and "if" games to punch their ticket to the National Tournament.  The two teams also played a single, mid-week game on April 17^th of this season with Midland College winning by a score of 13-9. 

Full Region 5 Tournament Bracket

Additional Region 5 Tournament Information:

• The Region 5 Baseball Tournament will be held May 12-16 at Roger Williams Ballpark in Weatherford.
     Roger Williams Ballpark web page
     Online map to Roger Williams Ballpark
• Tickets can be purchased at the ballpark entrance gate (cash or scan QR code for credit card)
     Adult Day Pass (all games that day): $10.00
     Student & Senior Citizen Day Pass (all games that day): $5.00
     Pre-Sale Tournament Pass (Purchase before May 11) $25.00
     Pre-Sale Senior/Student Tournament Pass (Purchase before May 11) $10.00
     Pre-Sale T-shirts in sizes S-XXL (Purchase before May 11) $20.00 ($25.00 at event)
     Pre-sale Tournament Tickets on simpletix.com
• Family pets that are NOT service animals will NOT be allowed in the ballpark for the tournament.
•  There will be a full concession stand available to attendees, no outside food or drinks are permitted.  

Go Chaps!