Lady Indians finish sixth at the NJCAA D1 Softball World Series in Yuma, Arizona
Chipola ended the season with a 35-21 overall record after falling to Wallace State - Hanceville, 4-3
YUMA, Ariz. – After falling earlier in the day to #1 Florida SouthWestern had a game off to regroup before facing an elimination game against #11 Wallace State - Hanceville (AL) at the NJCAA D1 Softball World Series.
Despite a rally in the seventh inning, the Lady Indians left the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second to end their season at 35-21.
Wallace-Hanceville 4, Chipola 3
It took some time for the #12 Lady Indians to shake off their first loss of the tournament from less than three hours before the first pitch with #11 Wallace-Hanceville.
The Lions opened the bottom of the first inning with a single and a double followed by a sac fly which gave them an early 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, the middle of the lineup got the Chipola offense with Paris Rodgers leading off with a single. The next batter, Rani Meaux, doubled but Rodgers was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first. A pair of ground outs ended Chipola's threat in the second.
In the third, Chipola's defense and pitching had their worst inning of the tournament. Wallace-Hanceville had three hits in the inning but it was a passed ball, a wild pitch, an infield error, and two walks that helped the Lions to three runs in the inning and a 4-0 lead.
After the third, Anyela Gomez-Ruiz (9-8) settled down in the circle and did not allow the Lions another run in her second start of the tournament and 16th start of the season. Gomez-Ruiz appeared in the circle three of four games in Yuma and finished with a 1-1 record and collected one save. In all, the sophomore pitched 15.2 innings and allowed just four runs, three earned.
In the fourth inning, Gomez-Ruiz also gave the Lady Indians their first run. Her team-leading 13th home run, and second of the day, cut down the Lions' lead to 4-1.
Chipola put up a valiant effort in the final inning starting with a single by Paris Rodgers who was replaced at first by Olivia Spooner. After Rani Meaux was hit by a pitch and pinch ran for by Gabrie Flowers, a double into the gap by Kamryn Eaton scored Spooner and Flowers to pull Chipola to within one.
With no outs and Eaton on second, Josefina Lacalle's pinch hit line drive was snagged by the Lions' second baseman and Eaton was doubled off for the second out. Despite the misfortune, the Lady Indians were not done.
Keara Millender walked then Irene Rabasco doubled to put runners on second and third. Kayla Franklin was hit by a pitch to load the bases but a pop up to short stop ended the game and the Lady Indians' season.
Tournament Notes
- The three FCSAA teams at the World Series finished in the top six. Northwest Florida defeated Florida Southwestern to take home the title. The FCSAA has won every National Championship in softball since the Lady Indians won their third title in 2019.
- After taking her team to the NJCAA Softball World Series for the first time in her four years as the head coach at Chipola, Coach Kelly Brookins is 2-2 at the National Tournament.
- Rani Meaux led Chipola at the plate in Yuma. Her .400 batting average (4-for-10) was better than the player selected as the Most Outstanding Offensive Player who was 4-for-15 in the tournament.
NJCAA TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
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