Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: Cooper Nicholson of Iowa Central makes a play at the NJCAA Div. II World Series in Enid, Okla.

ENID, Okla. — Iowa Central is one of just eight baseball teams left at the NJCAA Div. II World Series.

The ninth-seeded Tritons (47-16 overall) eliminated No. 4 seed Heartland (Ill.) Community College here on Tuesday afternoon, posting an 8-3 win to stay alive on the back side of the bracket.

Head coach Eric Stein’s squad will now meet fifth-seeded Madison (Wis.) College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The winner advances to square off with No. 1 Pasco-Hernando State College (Fla.) in the semifinal round — the only program to defeat Iowa Central in the tourney thus far.

The Tritons plated two runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth on Tuesday, then delivered a three-run knockout punch while nursing a 5-3 lead in the eighth.

“This is a pretty special deal for the guys,” Stein said, “but the bottom line is we’re a really good team and we’re proving that. We have solid players who are proving they can compete at a high level.

“I’m glad they’re getting to show it on the national scene.”

Left-handed hitting catcher Chayton Fischer continued to swing a hot bat by launching a three-run home run in the fifth. Fischer, Jake Busson, Cooper Nicholson and Sawyer Stein had two hits each in the win.

Busson went deep to get the scoring started in the fourth.

Maddux Gast (7-0) stayed unbeaten on the season by working six innings and scattering five hits. Braxton Shaffer went the final three frames and only allowed a single hit to earn the save.

“I think we played one of our best overall games of the season (on Tuesday),” Stein said. “The guys were ready to go. They just brought a different intensity level to the ballpark. You could feel it early.”

Heartland bows out at 47-16.

In the Tritons’ 9-1 win here on Monday night over Lackawanna, Fischer homered and tripled, walking twice and scoring twice. Cade Sears was 3-for-3 with two runs, and Nicholson went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.

Chris McCormack (11-0) also remained unbeaten on the year, allowing just four hits with five strikeouts in the seven-inning complete game.

“Obviously it helps when our pitching staff is as effective as it’s been the last two days,” Stein said. “They’ve set the tone, and we’re taking advantage of our opportunities. That’s what it’s all about in situations like this.

“I know there’s pressure in a win-or-go-home situation, but we’re truly just taking things one pitch at a time.”

Stein pointed to the crew of parents and local fans who have supported Iowa Central through its 3-1 start at the World Series.

“There’s a really good group supporting us here,” Stein said. “The town does a nice job, too. We have two youth teams from the Enid area that serve as our ‘host,’ and they’ve been at every game. (ICCC director of athletic communications) Paul (DeCoursey) has been taking great pictures and keeping people back home posted.

“We feel right at home here. It’s great to have another opportunity (on Wednesday).”

Madison (45-10) reached the quarterfinal round on Tuesday before losing to Pasco-Hernando State as well.

IOWA CENTRAL 8, HEARTLAND 3

Heartland 000 012 000 — 3 6 1

Iowa Central 000 230 03x — 8 9 1

WP — Maddux Gast (7-0; 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). SV — Braxton Shaffer (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K). 2B — ICCC: Cooper Nicholson, Jake Busson. HR — ICCC: Chayton Fischer, Jake Busson.

IOWA CENTRAL 9, LACKAWANNA 1

Iowa Central 050 101 2 — 9 10 0

Lackawanna 100 000 0 — 1 4 0

WP — Chris McCormack (11-0; 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). 3B — ICCC: Chayton Fischer. HR — ICCC: Chayton Fischer.