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Thomas Miller was the hero this time for the Western Nevada Community College baseball team (36-22-2, 30-15 in conference) blasting a three-run homer in the first inning that set the tone in Friday's 6-4 victory over No. 16-ranked Community College of Southern Nevada in Henderson. With the victory, the Wildcats won the Region XVIII Championship and will now move on to play in the Western District Regionals, which begin Thursday in Nebraska, for the right to go to the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association World Series.

WNCC won Thursday's game against CCSN by the same score. "We beat a very good team that is very well-coached," Miller said. "We are blessed."

Justin Garcia started the game by pitching six scoreless innings. "This was a special place to do it, in front of some of our family and friends," said Garcia, who played at Sierra Vista High School in Las Vegas. "All of our hard work paid off."

In the sixth, Brad Carlsen nailed a triple that knocked in a run to make it 4-0. Kevin Schlange added an RBI single in the seventh to give WNCC a six-run cushion. Stephen Sauer, last night's hero, relieved Garcia in the bottom of the seventh with runners on. The Coyotes scored two to make it 6-2, however, Sauer was able to put a stop to the rally.

CCSN got it going again in the ninth inning with two more runs. Sauer again came up big to close out the game. On Thursday, Sauer finished the game by striking out the side with the bases loaded and no outs.

Along with his RBI sacrifice, Schlange added two singles and a walk to the winning effort. Pat Grennan had a pair of singles, one after legging out a bunt, and Kyle Bondurant, Andrew Reid, Miller, and Cliff Shepard added a hit each.

The Wildcats celebrate after winning the Region 18 Championship in Henderson.

Justin Garcia started Friday's game by pitching six scoreless innings.

(L-R): Taylor Mieras, Thomas Miller and Stephen Sauer show off the Region 18 Championship trophy after Friday's victory.