Softball Off to Nationals
Photo courtesy of Judi Phillips
Reid Hartman, Harbinger
This past week, the ICC Cougars softball team earned a trip to the 2015 NJCAA Division II Softball Championship, a 16-team double-elimination tournament held in Clinton, Mississippi from May 13-16.
During the Region 24 tournament play, ICC lost to Lincoln Land College on the opening day, meaning the Cougars would have to battle back from the loser’s bracket, which is exactly what the Cougars did.
After winning in the first game on day two, ICC would have the chance to avenge the opening day loss with a rematch against Lincoln Land for the championship and the automatic trip to nationals.
Facing off against Lincoln Land in the region championship, which used double-elimination format, ICC was required to win in back-to-back games. ICC succeeded in defeating Lincoln Land (8-6) and (8-7).
A Region 24 local opponent, Lincoln Land also earned a trip to nationals after defeating Region 16 runner-up in a best-of-three series setting up a potential Region 24 championship rematch in Mississippi.
Of the 10 teams that have already punched their ticket to nationals, ICC holds a (5-4) record, Lincoln Land (3-2), Kankakee (1-1), Sauk Valley (0-1) and Kirkwood (1-0).
After wrapping up finals on May 11, the softball team will travel to Clinton, Mississippi. Arriving during the early morning hours between 2-3 a.m., the team will catch up on some sleep before a trip to the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.
After providing some encouragement in the Children’s Hospital, the team will head to Traceway Park, the host facility, of the Clinton Parks and Recreation Department for practice and then participate in an opening ceremonies banquet beginning at 6 p.m.
Play will begin at either 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. on May 13. A complete schedule with team rankings will be available following those games being played May 8-9. The links below will provide additional information and updates throughout the tournament.
Tournament brackets and game times
Clinton Parks and Recreation
NJCAA
NJCAA TV will video broadcast games 27-31
On Twitter, follow “@Cougs_4_life” and “@ClintonParksRec”