WEST BURLINGTON - Southeastern Community College wrapped its 2023-24 season at the NJCAA DII National Tournament after receiving an at-large bid in the first year of its existence. Only two teams in the country received an at-large bid, Southeastern and East Central (MS). This is the first time in school history that the Blackhawks have ever qualified in back-to-back seasons.
The Blackhawks entered their second straight world series as the #7 seed and faced South Arkansas Community College in the first round. The game would take place on Saturday, May 25th at 4:00PM. Southeastern battled South Arkansas well in what would be a six-hour affair due to heavy storms entering the Enid area. Maddux Frese pitched 7.0 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits for the Blackhawks. In the end, it was South Arkansas who scored the winning run in the top of the 8th inning that the Blackhawks could not find the equalizer for. Thus, the Blackhawks fell 4-3 in game one of the World Series. At the plate, the Blackhawks recorded 8 hits and 3 RBIs on their 3 runs.
The Blackhawks' second game would take place on Tuesday, May 28th against #3 seed East Central Community College. Bryson Goff would pitch a complete game for East Central, where the Blackhawks could not find their rhythm at the plate. The Blackhawks would record just 3 hits and 1 run, with that run taking place in the final inning after a Kooper Schulte double and several stolen bases. For the Blackhawks on the mound, Mason Behn went 6.0 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits. Chris Iannuzzi and Zane Frese would come in in relief, and allow 0 runs in 2.0 innings. The Blackhawks lone run in the 9th would not be enough to beat East Central, as the Blackhawks would be eliminated 2-1.
Southeastern has much to celebrate from the 2023-24 season. The Blackhawks earned 9 individuals on the DII Region 11 All-Region teams, and placed second in the region in the DII baseball tournament. Cole Smith and head coach Justin Schulte also received special awards from the region - defensive player of the year and coach of the year, respectively. The Blackhawks ended the season 43-19 overall, and took their 3rd trip to the national tournament under head coach Justin Schulte. That wasn't all for head coach Justin Schulte, as he earned his 1,00th career win in March. Coach Schulte officially ended the 23-24 season at 1,022 wins at the collegiate level.
The Blackhawks lose several notable players next season including Kooper Schulte, Sam Skarich, Caleb Wulf, and Cole Smith. On the mound, the Blackhawks will also lose standout Mason Behn. There is no doubt that this group left their mark on the Southeastern baseball program, becoming the first class to make back-to-back trips to the national tournament. While they will move on and continue their careers at the next level, the Blackhawks have several notable returners to watch for next season, including Michael Farina, Maddux Frese, Chris Iannuzzi, and Abrahan Rios.
Be sure to support the Blackhawks as they host their Youth Summer Camp June 17th-19th for kids ages 7-12 at the Wagner Athletic Complex on the West Burlington campus, after another historic season!
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