Champs

The Vaqueros of Central Arizona breezed through the National Junior College World Series with a 5-0 record to win their second (first championship was in 1976) title. The Coolidge team beat San Jacinto 9-8 in the Thursday contest and then handled Manatee 18-8 in the finals.

MVP

Central Arizona’s, emotional Gabe Mayorga was voted the Most Valuable Player after the Vaqueros won the 2002 National title. The emotion did not come from the fact that the second baseman batted .500, had two home runs, four doubles, a triple and eight RBI during his stay in Grand Junction, but the factor was that Mayorga dedicated the season to his aunt who died the opening day of the tournament. Mayorga pounded out two home runs and drove in four against San Jacinto on Thursday to lead Arizona into the finale against Manatee where he was 2-for-4, with a double and a RBI. The 6-2, 190 pound sophomore is from Phoenix and planned to attend the University of South Alabama if he did not sign a professional contract.

Top Four Finishers

Central Arizona 5-0
Manatee 3-2
San Jacinto North 3-2
Lamar 2-2