LAKELAND, Fla. (May 15, 2022) - The College of Central Florida erased a 3-0 deficit to defeat Miami Dade College, 4-3, and capture the FCSAA/NJCAA South Atlantic District Championship on Sunday afternoon at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. 

With the win, the Patriots (46-15) move on to the NJCAA Division I World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., for the first time since 1998. 

After eliminating Indian River State College earlier in the day, Miami Dade turned around and handed Central Florida a 15-9 loss on Saturday evening to set up Sunday's winner-take-all finale. 

Momentum stayed on the Sharks' side as play began on Sunday. 

Run-scoring singles by Jose Hernandez and Wooyeoul Shin gave Miami Dade a 2-0 lead after one inning. An RBI-ground out by Shin in the third made it 3-0. 

Central Florida starter Ben Chestnutt was pulled after three innings, giving way to Sam Swygert, who dodged trouble in the fourth to keep the Patriots within striking distance. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases, but he retired Shin on a fielder's choice to end the inning and keep the score 3-0. 

Miami Dade's Matthew Fernandez took the 3-0 lead into the sixth before finally running into trouble. 

Victor Castillo singled through the right side to score Kevin Kilpatrick, and Edrick Felix doubled home Caleb Cali to pull Central Florida within a run. 

The same cast of players came through two innings later to put Central Florida in front. 

With the bases loaded, Felix singled through the left side, scoring Cali and Landon Ginn, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. 

Felix finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and received the Bob Zelinski Award, presented to the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Zelinski, ironically, is the Director of Athletics at Central Florida and recently announced his upcoming retirement. 

The leadoff batter in the Miami Dade ninth reached on an error, bringing the winning run to the plate, but Swygert retired the next three batters in order, capped by a strikeout to seal the victory. 

Swygert, who received the Robert Perky Memorial Award, presented to the Tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher, got the win with seven shutout innings in relief. 

FCSAA All-Tournament Team

Dan Hernandez, Indian River State; Jose Hernandez, Miami Dade; Loidel Rodriguez-Peralta, Miami Dade; Brad Grenkoski, Chipola; Wooyeoul Shin, Miami Dade; Romeo Sanabria, Indian River State; David Pereira, Central Florida; Caleb Cali, Central Florida; Joseph Zamora, Miami Dade; Edrick Felix, Central Florida; Carlos Lopez, Indian River State; Edward Gonzalez, Miami Dade; Aaron Combs, Central Florida; Andy Rodriguez, Miami Dade; Landon Ginn, Central Florida; Sam Swygert, Central Florida

Robert Perky Memorial Award, presented to the Tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher: Sam Swygert, Central Florida
Bob Zelinski Award, presented to the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player: Edrick Felix, Central Florida
FCSAA Coach of the Year: Marty Smith, Central Florida