Oakton College Baseball Wins NJCAA Region 4 Championship, Advances to District Tournament

Des Plaines, Ill. (May 12, 2025) — The Oakton College Baseball team captured the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 4 Championship, beating Joliet Junior College 18-14, May 10. The victory earned the Owls a spot in the NJCAA District III Tournament, bringing them one step closer to a return to the national championship.

After three grueling days, five games, and two marathon 12-hour stretches on the diamond, the Owls won the regional title with an unforgettable 11th-inning grand slam. The Owls now set their sights on the NJCAA District III Tournament, where they will face off against Region 12 champions, Owens Community College (Perrysburg, Ohio). 

The best-of-three series kicks off on Friday, May 16, at noon at Triton College in River Grove. Game two will follow later that day at 3:30 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will take place on Saturday, May 17, at noon.

"At the beginning of the season, I saw the potential and talent in the team," said head coach Bill Fratto. "During the season, we had ups and downs, but the coaching staff and I kept reminding the guys: we can do this, but we have to do things better. I told them, as long as we play solidly to the playoffs, we can go to the World Series."

After falling early in the tournament, the Owls needed back-to-back wins against Joliet to clinch the championship. In the final game, sophomore Ricky Colazo crushed a walk-off grand slam to seal the victory in the 11th inning, capping off a four-hour battle that saw multiple lead changes. 

Jordan Vazquez, a Fenwick High School graduate from Chicago, was instrumental in the championship run.

"The last game was remarkable and fascinating. The way we responded to adversity and played was amazing," said Vazquez. "In game two, I went 3-for-5 with two singles and a double. The double was the biggest hit for me because it saved us—we were down in the ninth—and then I stole two bases. We are playing the best game, and there is nothing stopping us as a team." 

The district winner will advance to the NJCAA Division III World Series in New York. Oakton claimed the national title in 2018 and competed in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Series.

"If we play well, we can beat anyone," said coach Fratto. "I told the guys after the win: envision it. Once we get to the World Series, we will do our best to compete, and you never know what might happen."