Chipola Softball National Tournament Run Ends

The Lady Indians fell 3-2 to Seminole State in a May 26 elimination game at the NJCAA National Championship in Yuma, Arizona.

With the loss, the Lady Indians ended their season with a 27-18 record. Seminole State, ranked sixth in the nation, was the fourth top 10 team the Lady Indians faced in six games.

Seminole got on the board in the first, after Rowley reached on a costly three-base error from Chipola and then scored on a wild pitch that sailed to the backstop.

In the second, Chipola’s Natalie Kopicova singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Ava Worthy. On Kopicova's steal of third base, the catcher's throw got by the Trojans' third baseman, allowing Kopicova to score and tie the game, 1-1. Seminole answered in the bottom half of the inning and took a 2-1 lead courtesy of a walk, wild pitch and an error.

The score would remain 2-1 until the top of the sixth. Kinzie Nelson singled to lead off the inning and was replaced with a pinch runner, Alexis Cosgrove. The next batter for Chipola, Kopicova, doubled to score Cosgrove from first but was thrown out at second after rounding the base too far. The mistake would be costly as Sierra Jevyak and Marley Sims hit back-to-back singles with one out. Jevyak and Sims were left stranded on a fly out and ground out. The 2-2 tie going into the seventh would set the stage for the walk-off win for the Trojans. Zayla McBurrows (13-7) took the loss in the circle for Chipola. McBurrows allowed 3 runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks. She struck out one Seminole batter.

Chipola ends their season with its 11th Panhandle Conference Championship, sixth State Championship, and ninth appearance in the National Tournament. The trip to Yuma was the sixth consecutive appearance in the National Tournament.

Chipola scored a 4-3 win over Indian River to capture the FCSAA State Championship on May 9. Five Chipola players were named to the State All-Tournament Team—MVP: Zayla McBurrows, Natalie Kopicova, Kinzie Nelson and Madisyn Riggins. Two were named FCSAA All-State: First-team—Pitcher: Leigha Kirby and Second-team At-large: Zayla McBurrows. Chipola head coach Belinda Hendrix was named FCSAA Coach of the Year. 

The Lady Indians also won a share of the 2020 Panhandle Conference finishing with a 15-5 league mark, along with Pensacola (15-5).

For the latest information, visit www.chipolaathletics.com