GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The JUCO stage is a big one. There are lights. Lots of cameras. Scouts behind home plate. A stadium that holds about 12,000 and fans who nearly fill those seats, especially for evening games.
It’s no secret that it hasn’t exactly been that way all season for Cochise.
“It was always just kind of funny playing in front of that crowd (at home); we expected it,” said sophomore Tagg Duce. “But I think you have to have the same approach to every game. The crowd should just get you a little more excited to play.”
Cochise (49-17) opens play in the NJCAA World Series tonight at 7:30 MST (6:30 Arizona time) against the Neosho County (Kan.) Community College Panthers (35-25) of the Central District.
Cochise and Neosho are each making their program’s third appearance at the World Series. Cochise’s last came 24 years ago, while Neosho is here for the second straight year. The Panthers came into this season having lost prominent sophomores from last year’s run, while Cochise had a solid group of returners eager to make big changes from a disappointing 2012 season.
“We have a totally different work ethic, and our record proves that,” said sophomore pitcher Zach Rodgers, who is a perfect 10-0 on the mound this year. “I knew the sophomores coming back would step up and help these freshmen push themselves. We depend on coach to get the right guys in with the right work ethic and the sophomores lead them, show them how it’s done.”
Cochise will be the visiting team tonight, as determined by a coin toss Friday night. Home teams are scheduled to take pre-game batting practice next door to Suplizio Field at Mesa State University’s Bergman Field, while visiting teams are at Canyon View Park, about five miles from the stadium.
Head coach Todd Inglehart said he did seek guidance from a few fellow Region I coaches who have been here before about what to expect at the district tournament and the World Series.
“It’s a different routine, but we’re trying to prepare our guys for what’s expected,” he said. “I did get some advice here and there, but mostly, just enjoy it. And that’s what we’ve done.”