BEL AIR, Md. – The NJCAA softball and baseball championships are underway with MD JUCO schools right in the thick of things. The CCBC Catonsville and Anne Arundel softball teams as well as the Montgomery baseball team have each punched their ticket to the NJCAA National Championships in their respective divisions while Cecil is right on the doorstep.
On the softball side, Catonsville (38-9, 20-0 MD JUCO) claimed the NJCAA Region XX and District L Championship in Division II to advance to the NJCAA Division II National Championships. The Cardinals won the combined region and district tournament, going 3-0 with an emphatic win in the championship game against Chesapeake, 14-0.
Catonsville began play in the double-elimination National Championships tournament, held in Clinton, Miss., as the No. 14 seed Wednesday, falling to No. 3 Kirkwood, Iowa (56-3) 10-1. They play No. 11 Kalamazoo Valley, Mich. (34-15) in an elimination contest Thursday.
Anne Arundel (19-24, 7-13 MD JUCO) softball won the NJCAA Region XX/District H Championship to advance to the Division III National Championships. They pulled an upset, defeating No. 1 Montgomery (18-14, 11-10 MD JUCO) 6-2 and 4-3 in the championship round of the tournament. After losing to Montgomery in the second round, 8-7, the No. 2 Pioneers avoided elimination with a 4-0 win over hosting No. 4 Westmoreland Community College, Pa. before winning two to claim their spot in the National Championships.
The NJCAA Division III National Championships begin today in Rochester, Minn. Anne Arundel is seeded seventh and will face No. 2 Herkimer Community College, N.Y. (39-2) in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament.
In baseball, Montgomery (40-15, 16-10 MD JUCO) won the NJCAA Region XX/District D Championship to advance to the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series. They defeated Prince George’s (14-31, 5-21 MD JUCO) 2-1 and 10-2 to claim their right to compete for a national title. The NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series begins May 25th and will be held in Tyler, Tx. at Mike Carter Field.
Cecil (39-17, 20-6 MD JUCO) won the NJCAA Region XX Championship, to go along with their MD JUCO Conference Championship, advancing to the NJCAA Northeast District Championship. The Seahawks defeated CCBC Dundalk 8-5 in the championship round to claim the region. Cecil will host Region XIX champion Lackawanna College, Pa. (38-18). The winner advances to the NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series which also begins May 25th and will be held in Enid, Okla. at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
