Jags scratch out a Championship

Jerry Bartow and his baseball team have done it again.

The Southwestern College Jaguars finished tied for first in the Pacific Coast Conference, earning a spot in the Southern California Community College Regional Tournament.

San Diego Mesa College finished the season with same 18-7 record and share the top spot in the PCC.

What makes the pot even sweeter is that 10 Jaguars, including Bartow, earned all-league honors, six of them first team. Bartow was named PCC Coach of the Year.

SWC ace Vidal Nuno was awarded PCC Player of the Year as he led all pitchers with 11 wins, 87 strikeouts and a 2.15 ERA.

"He's been playing like mad," said Bartow. "He was really good this year."

Third baseman Anthony Benner, shortstop Kenneth Miramontes, second baseman Kiko Hermosillo, right fielder Mike Miles and center fielder Nathaniel (Tre) Dennis were all named First Team All-PCC. First Baseman Joe Inzone and utility player Omar Manzanarez were named Honorable Mention.

The year was an overall success for the Jags. It was the first time they finished first in league since SWC went 21-3 in 2004.

Plans for rebuilding a championship team are in the works for Bartow and his staff.

Major holes will need to be filled if they plan to repeat.

Next year the Jags will need to find some talent on the mound as they will lose most of their pitching core with Nuno, Martinez and Donald Anderson moving on.

The defense is a glimmer of hope for fans and looks like it should stay intact.

Three of his five All-PCC team fielders, including Miramontes, will be returning next season and look to have breakout years.

Miramontes finished the season with a team leading 25 RBIs and will be looked upon to lead the Jags next season.

A big loss offensively will be third baseman Anthony Benner, who led the team in most offensive categories with a .409 average and four home runs.

First baseman Joe Inzone will add pop to the Jags lineup next year and Omar Manzanarez will help to fill in any needs in the infield.

It was a hard fought journey for the Jags this season.

SWC won four out of its first five games in league play, losing only to co-champion Mesa. SWC went on to win nine out of its last 10 games of the season. The Olympians again would be its only loss.

The most important game of the season came late in the year as the first-place Jags were tied with Mesa. Both clubs were looking for top honors and a spot in the postseason.

An SWC win against Grossmont College and an Olympian loss would give the Jags position for first place outright.

Miramontes delivered the game winning base hit up the middle with the game tied, scoring Mike Miles.

With one out and Miles on second, Griffins head coach Randy Abshier decided to intentionally walk Eric Martinez, who was pinch hitting for the 0 for 3 Matthew Jensen.

"I felt good swinging the bat," said Mirramontes. "We came out a little flat. Nuno pitched a good game. We wanted to pull it out for him."

SWC kept the game close with outstanding pitching from their ace Nuno, who allowed only one run on seven hits and struck out six.

"After they scored their first run I knew we where going to tie the game," said Nuno. "I have never got shut out before."

Nuno has been solid all year long and this game was no different.

"Every game we needed a win, [Nuno] did it," said assistant coach Cordell Hipolito.

The Griffins took the lead in the fifth inning with a base hit by second baseman Tony Jusino scoring first baseman John Alia.

"The game was tough today," said Bartow. "They shouldn't have got that run."

Solid pitching by Mesa's starter Tom Adams kept the game close. Adams finished the game with one run allowed off of seven hits and six strikeouts.

Both clubs aces started and finished the game. It could have ended a differently if SWC would have simply played smarter.

Base running and fielding mistakes made it look like the Jags were going to hand the game over to the Griffins. But despite the errors SWC came out victorious.

"It happens in those close games," said Nuno. "We were getting picked off on base running errors. You can't get mad or frustrated."

In the bottom of the ninth with no outs, Miramontes took a fastball for a ride giving him a double to lead off the inning. Next catcher Nick Monette bunted safely and advanced Miramontes to third.

With no outs and runners at the corners, Kiko Hermosillo bunted in Miramontes with the tying run.

With the win against Grossmont, SWC advanced into the postseason as a 18th seed in the tournament and faced number one seed L.A. Harbor. The Jaguars lost 6-3, ending their season.

"It's been a long season," said Bartow. "Win or loss, I think we are as good as any ball club in the conference."