Delaware Tech Softball's National Tournament Experience Exceeds Expectations For The Second Year In A Row

Wilmington DE

03 June, 2022

1:21 AM

Description

Press release from the Delaware Technical Community College: May 31, 2022 The Delaware Technical Community College softball team made a return trip to the NJCAA Division II Softball National Tournament after winning the NJCAA Region 19 and NJCAA Northeast District championships on May 17 in Georgetown. And for the second year in a row, Delaware Tech entered the tournament as the 15 seed, picked up one win against Bryant & Stratton, and was two runs away from winning a second game. It is only the third national tournament win in Delaware Tech softball history and the second straight year Delaware Tech has won a game in the national tournament. "I don't think anyone expected us to win a game since we were one of the lowest seeds," third baseman Macey Myers said. "But we proved that we could compete with the teams down here." The tournament, held May 24-27 in Oxford, Ala., was plagued by weather delays due to persistent thunderstorms. Once the tournament got underway, Delaware Tech hung with the defending champion, and eventual repeat national champion, Phoenix College until a freak play allowed Phoenix to pull ahead for an 8-0 win. Delaware Tech had been down just 1-0 until centerfielder Couri Smith's leg got caught in the fence while she was retrieving a hit. That allowed two runs to score and Phoenix never looked back. After more delays, Delaware Tech took on Bryant & Stratton in the elimination bracket. Delaware Tech entered the final inning losing 3-1 and ended up scoring four runs to claim a 5-4 win. "We kept our heads up," outfielder Kaniah James said. "It was more important for us to think the game wasn't over just because we were losing, we were hitting their pitcher all game, but we just needed to make adjustments." That win propelled Delaware Tech into another elimination game just a few hours later against Kansas City Kansas. A back-and-forth game came down to the last inning with Delaware Tech down one run. With runners on first and second and no outs, Myers hit a line drive back at the pitcher who deflected the ball with her glove. The ball popped up in the air near second base, and the Kansas City second baseman snagged the ball, tagged the runner, got the runner at second out as well, and threw to first to complete the rare triple play and end Delaware Tech's season. This press release was produced by the Delaware Technical Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.