Surry Softball Finishes World Series Run
DeWitt, NY – The Surry softball team recently completed an impressive late season run finishing tied for 5th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III World Series in DeWitt, New York. The Lady Knights opened the national championship tournament facing the top seed and eventual National Champion, North Dakota SCS. Surry got off to a rough start and never rebounded falling to the Wildcats, 11-0. Chloe Edwards, Carlee Jones, and Isabella Aparicio recorded Surry's only hits for the game.
In an elimination game, Surry pounded out 19 hits and drew six walks in route to a 20-9 win over Community College of Rhode Island. Aria Wilson and Emma Sorrell each collected four hits while driving in six runs each. Wilson also homered and scored six runs while adding two walks. Chloe Edwards added a pair of hits while driving in three runs and Jordan Snow had two hits while scoring three runs. Emily Mitchell, Payton Campbell, and Aparicio each added two hits each. Aparicio also scored three runs while driving in a pair. On the mound, Mitchell picked up the win in relief throwing four complete innings allowing seven hits and three earned runs. The sophomore right-handed pitcher walked three and struck out five. " We played much better against CCRI," stated Surry head coach, Blaine Bullington. "We settled down from some of our opening game jitters and really hit the ball well. I was proud of how we competed and battled through some tough rainy conditions."
Surry advanced to play another elimination game against the second seeded Roadrunners from Rowan County South Jersey – Gloucester. With Surry leading 4-3, the Roadrunners scratched out a run in the top of the sixth to tie it at 4-4. After a scoreless 7th inning, RCSJ-Gloucester exploded for six runs and held on for a 10-4 win. Edwards led the Lady Knights at the plate with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Campbell collected two hits and two RBI while scoring a run. Mitchell took the loss working all eight innings allowing five earned runs off ten hits while walking four and striking out seven. Bullington added, "Our team played extremely hard and represented Surry and Region 10 incredibly well. This was a tremendous experience for our team and something that we will not forget. To finish as on the top five teams nationally is a testament to this group never giving up."
Surry finishes the regular season at 22-32 while capturing the Region 10 Tournament Championship and the Appalachian District Championship. Surry's Chloe Edwards was named to the NJCAA Division III World Series All-Tournament team. In addition, the Lady Knights earned the prestigious NJCAA World Series Sportsmanship Award which was announced at the conclusion of the tournament.