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ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Softball Reaches Final Three with Rout of Gaston in the NJCAA World Series

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Lions had a monumental task to keep their championship dreams alive as they faced the 7th-seeded Gaston in the NJCAA World Series  Final Four in Yuma, AZ. Gaston entered the game as the NJCAA’s top offensive team, leading in hits, runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage, and doubles.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Kaelyn Jones singled to start the inning and then advanced to second on Brandy Phillips' single. Charli Kyser reached base on a throwing error that allowed Jones and Phillips to score.

The Lions extended their lead to 5-0 with three runs in the top of the third. Tanayja Thomas advanced to third on an infield hit and a two-base error to start the inning. Phillips then singled to bring Thomas home. After Brooklyn Sertell reached on a single, Blakelyn Austin singled to plate Phillips and Sertell. 

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ extended their lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth when Reese Decker, who had singled earlier, scored on Jones’ infield hit.

The Lions kept the offense going in the sixth, scoring two additional runs to push the lead to 8-0. Leah Graves, who singled to open the inning and advanced to second on Reese Decker’s infield hit, scored on Ashlyn Burn’s single. Decker then scored on Jones’ groundout.

Gaston finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the sixth on a three-run homer.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ added three more runs in the seventh for an 11-3 lead. Three consecutive singles by  Kyser, Sertell, and Austin loaded the bases to start the inning. Kyser and Sertell scored when Graves reached on an error. Austin then scored on Jones’ single.

Madeline Howard closed out the game with a scoreless and hitless bottom of the seventh for the Lions' 11-3 win.

Sertell finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored to lead Wallace at the plate. Jones, Kyser, Austin, and Graves each had two hits, two RBIs, and a run scored.. Phillips had two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored, while Decker added a hit and two runs scored. Thomas had a hit and a run scored.

Phillips got the start and was dominant in getting the win. She held Gaston to three runs on two hits while striking out two. Howard pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless and hitless relief.

The Lions play again tonight against the tournament’s top seed, Florida Southwestern, which lost to Northwest Florida State earlier today. The winner advances to the National Championship game. The game can be seen on ESPN+.