By Jim Richards

FINAL FOUR ON THE FINAL DAY

Friday’s home loss to Chandler-Gilbert along with a victory by Central Arizona, brought the post-season fates of four ACCAC Division I teams all the way into Saturday’s final day of the regular season.

And with no postseason a possibility the SMCC Cougars pulled out not only a spot in the four-team NJCAA Region I Tournament, but second place in the ACCAC and home-field advantage in the opening round.

Jordan Whatcott’s pitching gem Saturday in a 4-0 win over Chandler-Gilbert, allowed the Cougars to gain a split in the do-or-die home-and-home series. It also vaulted them back into second place where they’ll host Central Arizona, the third seed, in a best-of-three series beginning Thursday at 3 p.m. at SMCC.

Whatcott followed Friday’s 7-3 loss with 7.2 innings of masterful work, allowing four hits before giving the ball to Daniel Romero, who fanned three of the five hitters he faced. Jason Summers had four of the Cougars’ 13 hits with Nico Rosthenhausler and Steven Castillo getting two hits apiece.

Chandler-Gilbert was eliminated from the tournament when Cochise defeated Yavapai in Saturday’s second game. Cochise will face top-seeded Yavapa Thursday.

The critical victory continued a late-season Cougars’ trend of playing their best baseball when the chips are down.

“That’s the way our guys have played their best,” SMCC coach Todd Eastin said. “When something really has to happen and something is on the line.”

Central is one of the hottest teams in the league, having won seven straight to close the season. It’s also won 3 of 4 against the Cougars this season.

“We’re going to play good teams from here on out,” Eastin said. “We’re playing a team that’s on a roll right now.”

The Cougars will also have to find a way to beat two-time ACCAC Player of the Year Josh Spence, who is expected to pitch both Games 1 and 3.