KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Southwestern Christian University baseball is bringing home a national championship.
Behind a five-run opening inning and a complete-game effort from Mozart Duarte, the Eagles defeated Judson University 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon to capture the NCCAA World Series Championship at Motley Field in Kansas City. The title caps off an impressive postseason run for SCU, who finished the tournament with clutch hitting, timely pitching, and resilience in pressure moments.
For Southwestern Christian, the championship game was decided early.
Eagles Explode Early
After Duarte worked through traffic in the top of the first inning, the Eagles' offense immediately delivered the biggest inning of the day.
Nate Anderson sparked the rally with a leadoff single before Eliam Dudamel drew a walk and Dario Paredes loaded the bases with a hit to left. Although Judson recorded a strikeout for the first out, SCU answered in a major way. Dominic Ornelas ripped a two-run single to right field to open the scoring before Phoenix Nelson followed with an RBI knock of his own. Moments later, Braden Browning delivered the dagger of the inning, lining a two-run single through the left side to cap a five-run first inning and give Southwestern Christian a commanding 5-0 advantage.
That early offensive burst proved to be all the Eagles would need.
Judson Responds, Duarte Settles In
Judson attempted to answer in the second inning after a double from Carson Hubert plated two runs and cut the deficit to 5-2. The Eagles' lead was suddenly under pressure, but Duarte responded like an ace.
From that point forward, the SCU starter controlled the game.
Duarte scattered 10 hits across nine innings but continually worked out of trouble, keeping Judson off the scoreboard for four consecutive innings after the second. The only additional run came in the seventh inning when Judson manufactured a run off a groundout after a stolen base sequence trimmed the margin to 5-3. Even then, Duarte never lost control.
When the championship hung in the balance in the ninth, the senior right-hander delivered.
After allowing a leadoff single, Duarte retired the next three hitters — including back-to-back strikeouts to put the pressure squarely on Judson — before inducing the final out to clinch the national title for Southwestern Christian.
Championship Performers
The Eagles finished with 10 hits, led by Dominic Ornelas, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Braden Browning, whose first-inning single drove in two crucial runs. Anderson, Elvis Rojas, and Ornelas each recorded multiple hits, while Phoenix Nelson added an RBI in the championship victory.
On the mound, Duarte authored the performance of the tournament.
The Left-hander tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts and no walks in a championship-clinching effort to earn the win and cement his place in SCU postseason history.
A Championship Finish
The title game was a fitting ending for a Southwestern Christian squad that grew stronger throughout the NCCAA World Series. After battling through the bracket and winning key games on Day 2, the Eagles finished the job with composure, toughness, and execution when it mattered most.
For the Eagles, the final out meant more than just a win — it meant NCCAA World Series Champions. ??
