The last time a champion was crowned in NJCAA D1 softball, Coach Belinda Hendrix and the Chipola softball team were raising the trophy. With the 2020 season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Indians missed out on the opportunity to repeat as champions. Last weekend in Youngsville, Louisiana, they began their quest to become back to back champions although the record books will show a year missing if they are able to accomplish the feat. Two players, Tammie Lijbers and Yoshie Omori, return from that 2019 team and only five other players have college experience from the shortened 2020 season. 

With a relatively young team that has been impacted by preseason injuries, the preseason #2 team in the nation went 3-3 in their opening tournament in Louisiana. Freshman Gabby Bess, a Marianna native, was named Region 8 FCSAA Player of the Week for her efforts over the weekend. Bess batted .642 (9 for 14) with a home run, 6 runs scored, 9 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. In the last game of the weekend, she was 3-3 with 4 RBI as the Indians avenged an earlier loss in the tournament to McLennan Community College.

The Lady Indians will host Southern Union Community College for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 PM. Fans are encouraged to maintain social distancing and to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.  

You can watch Chipola's softball games by purchasing a subscription at https://team1sports.com/chipolaathletics/

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