Record-setting season ends for MCC Softball

OXFORD, Ala. – McCook Community College's record-setting softball season came to an end Thursday with a 5-0 elimination loss to No. 9 Eastern Florida State on the fourth day of the National Junior College Athletic Association D1 College World Series.

After losing a heart-breaker to No. 1 Florida SouthWestern State in an earlier game, the Titans came back after rain delayed the start of the game for three hours with a three-run homer in the first inning and held MCC to two hits. MCC's season ends with a 2-2 record in the CWS and the most wins ever for a MCC softball team with a 54-8 record.

"Today was a tough day," said MCC Coach Mike Mendenhall. "We hit the ball hard – but just right to them."

Eastern Florida started the game with the leadoff hitter reaching on an error and stealing second base, the second hitter walked and the third hitter Jaelynne Whipple hit a three-run home run.

The Titans added a run in the second with a two-out single to lead 4-0.

Sophomore Marleigh Mitchell (Mission, British Columbia) reached base in the bottom of the second on an infield error with one out, but the Lady Indians could take advantage of the mistake.

"We didn't play bad, but couldn't string together hits," said Mendenhall. "Their pitcher was also throwing upper 60s and we haven't really seen that."

Schneider had her first one, two, three-inning in the third and in the bottom of the inning freshman Hayley Smith (freshman, Chestermere, Alberta) got MCC's first hit, a single to lead off the inning. With one out sophomore Paige Warren (Victoria, British Columbia) was hit by a pitch but the ending ended without the Lady Indians getting the ball out of the infield.

EFS put another run across in the fifth inning to lead 5-0 and Schneider left the game, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits, three walks, four earned runs and one strikeout. Warren came on in relief. She finished the game going 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, and one walk and no runs.

The Lady Indians got their second hit, a single, with one out in the seventh by Mitchell but that's where the offense ended.

EFS's Madison Velazquez didn't walk an MCC hitter all game and struck out five.

Eastern Florida State improves to 46-18. They started their day in the 9 a.m. game against the top-seeded Florida SouthWestern and overcame a 6-0 deficit scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning, tied it 6-6 with four runs in the seventh, then lost the game on a single a stolen base and a walk-off single. The Titans will play a Friday elimination game.

For the second-straight year, MCC came into the 20-team tournament, seeded 16th and both years, MCC was able to finish in the top 12 knocking off three higher seeds last year and two this year.

"This year we had a lot of ups and downs, but overall it was an incredible year," said Mendenhall. "These ladies stepped up on and off the field and I couldn't ask for anything more."

Six sophomores were a part of back-to-back record-setting seasons and finish their careers with their team compiling a two-year mark of 105-19 with an .847. That group includes Audrey Reeves, (Sterling, Colo.), Peytann Weiland (Aurora, Colo.), Olivia Moorhead, (Hershey, Neb.), Olivia Pollon (Tisdale, Saskatchewan), Kashlin Beck (Claflin, Kan.) and Paige Warren (Victoria, British Columbia). Sophomore Marleigh Mitchell (Mission, British Columbia) transferred from Odessa College where the Wranglers won 47 games and earned a trip to the CWS last year, giving her 101 wins over her two seasons.

"I appreciate all of the sophomores that put in the time and effort for MCC and I know they will go do great things in life, whether if they are playing or not," said Mendenhall.