Rock Valley completes 'Drive for Five'
The Golden Eagles topped Herkimer for the NJCAA DIII Softball National Championship
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 3 |
|
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | BOX SCORE | PHOTOS | AWARDS
Rochester, MN – Rock Valley (IL) pulled away from top-seeded Herkimer (NY) to claim its fifth consecutive NJCAA DIII Softball National Championship at the McQuillan Softball Complex. In a winner-take-all title match, the Golden Eagles topped the Generals 6-2.
In the third edition of the top two seeds squaring off at this year's national tournament, it was Rock Valley that prevailed with another national title. The Golden Eagles defeated Herkimer 2-1 in the semifinals before falling to the Generals 2-1 to force the final championship bout.
The fifth national title for the Golden Eagles sets an NJCAA DIII softball record, breaking a previous tie with the College of DuPage (1998, 2000-01, 2004).
- Trailing 2-1 through four innings, Rock Valley put up five runs in the fifth inning that included a two-run single from Candance Kipp to help the Golden Eagles pull away.
- Freshman Jordan Hall of Rock Valley was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and the Most Outstanding Pitcher after allowing just three earned runs in 21 innings pitched.
- Sophomore Annaka Bartz was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player with a .529 average that included a home run in the championship game. Bartz also earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.
- Sophomore Keeanna Wolcik of Herkimer was named to the All-Tournament team for the second consecutive year.
- Sixth-seeded North Dakota SCS made a valiant run through the tournament to place third and earned three All-Tournament selections.
