Salt Lake Community College will play for the JUCO World Series championship this weekend.

The Bruins beat Lake Land (Illinois) 12-2 on Thursday in Grand Junction, Colorado, to earn a spot in the title game for the first time.

“Extremely proud,” assistant coach Jason Crawford said. “Salt Lake has never been in this situation before, so we’re pumped. It took a lot to get here from our players. I know they’re gassed … but the guys competed their tails. We’re thrilled and excited for the next opportunity.”

Sophomore pitcher Jaxon Grossman struck out seven batters in six innings to pick up the win.

“The slider was working pretty well,” the former Ute commit said. “I was just able to throw strikes and my defense worked for me.”

The Bruins’ bats were working, too.

Skyline High product Hudson Manwaring had two of SLCC’s 12 hits and drove in two runs en route to the victory.

“Just being here with all the boys on the team, it’s always a fun time,” Manwaring said afterward.

Salt Lake will play the winner of Friday night’s matchup between No. 17 McLennan (Texas) and No. 1 Walters State (Tennessee).

The championship game will be played on Saturday at 7 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

“Zero anxiousness,” Crawford said. “We’re ready.”