The Northeast Texas Community College Eagles baseball team delivered a championship moment at home Saturday, bouncing back from a Game 1 loss to secure a decisive Game 2 victory over Navarro College and clinch the Region XIV North Championship.
Navarro College took the opener 5-0, but the Eagles answered in emphatic fashion in Game 2, erasing an early deficit to post a 15-7 win and secure the region title. The comeback victory capped a strong conference run and earned NTCC the right to host the 2026 NJCAA Region XIV North Regional Tournament.
Down 7-1 in the second game, NTCC’s offense came alive behind a series of clutch, momentum-shifting performances. Jonathon Kent sparked the Eagles early with a solo home run in the second inning to get NTCC on the board. He continued to set the tone throughout the game, finishing with multiple hits and RBIs while also scoring key runs in the decisive sixth inning rally.
The Eagles broke the game open in the sixth inning with an offensive surge that saw nearly the entire lineup contribute. Key RBI hits from Kent and Josh Staten helped flip the momentum, while Luke Nohinek and Jake Farris each worked bases-loaded walks to push across critical insurance runs. Cameron Reiter added to the outburst with a sacrifice fly that drove in another run as NTCC seized control.
The offensive explosion continued in the seventh, when Cameron Reiter delivered the big blow of the inning—a bases-clearing double to center field that drove in three runs. Riley Patterson followed with an RBI double of his own, capping the scoring and sealing the, 15-7 run rule victory.
Saturday’s festivities carried added significance as NTCC celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Eagles baseball team, which won the NJCAA National Championship. A permanent monument honoring that historic squad was unveiled in the athletic complex, featuring the full roster from the championship team. Former head coach Ty Harrington and many members of the 1996 team returned to campus for the ceremony and weekend celebration. Click for a gallery of downloadable photos from the day.
“It was a tremendous day for Northeast Texas Community College and our entire athletic community,” said Dr. Jon McCullough, Executive Vice President for Advancement. “We are so pleased with how the celebration came together and grateful to everyone who came out to honor the 1996 team and support our current players.”
McCullough also praised the current team’s performance and the significance of the regional title. “We are incredibly proud of our baseball team for their resilience and championship effort,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming teams and fans from across the region as we host the Region XIV North Tournament here at NTCC.”
With the split against Navarro College, the Eagles not only secured the championship but also set the stage for postseason play on their home field in what promises to be a major weekend for NTCC athletics. For full details about the upcoming tournament, visit www.ntcc.edu/tourney26.
