NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: Patrick & Henry Softball Wins NJCAA DIII World Series
Chattanooga, TN - The Patrick & Henry Community College Softball team claimed the 2024 NJCAA Division III Softball World Series National Championship over defending champion North Dakota SCS.
The Patriots battled through the winner's bracket to reach the championship game and had to be defeated by North Dakota SCS twice to lose the title. The Wildcats took home game one 6-4 before Patrick & Henry won a 10-inning thriller to win its first national title.
North Dakota SCS came out swinging. Kendyl Moss ripped a double to left center that scored the game's first two runs. The Wildcats scored a third run to give them an early 3-0 lead.
Morgan Strickland hit a ball into the right-center gap to score two and bring the Patriots back into the game. The lead was too much for the Patriots, as North Dakota SCS held on to win the game 6-4, and force a winner take all championship game.
With a one-run lead in the top of the seventh, Patriots Kayle Nichols scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 4. Both teams traded runs in the eight inning before a scoreless ninth inning. The tenth inning saw Patrick & Henry break the game open and take a 6-4 lead which they did not surrender.
Freshman shortstop Laila Rodriguez was named the tournament's most valuable player after finishing with a .500 batting average and having a significant impact defensively.
Pitcher Morgan Strickland tossed 38.2 out of 39 innings for the Patriots and was named the Pitcher of the Tournament. Greenly Elliott and Kyndal Hopkins were recognized on the All-Tournament team, while head ccoach Robbi Campbell was named Applachian District Coach of the Year.