Caldwell Community College baseball, softball both district champs and headed to nationals
The Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute baseball and softball teams are both going to nationals after both teams won district championships.
The baseball team defeated Surry Community College 11-10 to win the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Region 10/Mid-Atlantic District Championship Sunday at Burlington Athletic Stadium in Burlington, North Carolina.
Caldwell baseball is now ranked No. 5 in NJCAA Division III baseball. It is the second district title in program history. The Cobras advance to the Division III World Series in Johnson City, TN, May 23-27.
Caldwell fell to Surry 10-9 in the opening round of the double elimination tournament on Friday. The Cobras battled back through the consolation bracket, winning four games in two days.
On Saturday, Caldwell held off a late rally by Rockingham Community College to win 11-9. In the nightcap, the Cobras eliminated Camp Community College 18-2.
Having to defeat Surry twice on Sunday to win the championship, Caldwell used a 10-run seventh inning to overwhelm the Knights 14-4 in game one and set up the winner-take-all championship game.
Trailing 10-8 entering the bottom of the ninth, Caldwell tied the game on back-to-back bases loaded walks. The winning run was scored by pinch runner Cullen Pruett on a pass ball, giving Caldwell a 11-10 victory.
Softball wins the Appalachian District
The softball team won defeated Delta College two games to none Saturday in Hudson to claim the NJCAA Division III Appalachian District Championship and earn an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division III World Series.
Region 10 Champion Caldwell (40-6) won game one 3-2 on a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning by Skylar Smith. Caldwell dominated game two against Delta (22-21), winning the game 9-1 to clinch the championship.
Caldwell advances to the NJCAA Division III World Series in Dewitt, NY, starting May 20. It will be the Cobras' second appearance, as Caldwell earned an at-large bid in 2023 and finished No. 3 in the nation.
Caldwell is ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA Division III softball rankings.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 5:39 AM.