MAY 14-15, 2025 • VOL. 64 ISSUE 27
Oakton College Baseball Qualifies
Oakton College won the District III Tournament Championship at Triton College, May 9-10. Submitted by Oakton College
The Oakton College baseball team is headed back to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III World Series after capturing the District III Tournament Championship, May 9-10. The Owls defeated Region 12 champion Owens Community
College (Perrysburg, Ohio) to secure their place among the nation’s top eight teams. The district tournament began on Friday with a commanding 16–6 win for Oakton in Game 1, ending early due to the 10-run rule. After a tough 11-inning loss in Game 2, the Owls regrouped for Saturday’s
decisive Game 3. Oakton erupted with six runs in the first inning and never looked back, clinching a 7–2 victory and the district title.
“There were some nerves,” Smith shared. “But once we stepped onto the field, they went away. Everybody just trusted each other.”
Freshman Kyle Smith (Zeeland, Mich.) delivered a standout performance on the mound to improve to 3–0 for the season.
Smith, who splits time between the outfield and pitching, described the win as “an unreal feeling.” “I knew we could do it, but when
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it happens, it’s just something you dream of,” said Smith. Head coach Bill Fratto praised the team’s resilience and chemistry. “We’re proud of this team. They are very talented. I knew from the SEE BASEBALL PAGE 4