2023 nfca junior college leadoff classic, nfca, south commons complex, Columbus GA, florida southwestern state

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Florida SouthWestern State took home the 2023 NFCA Junior College Leadoff Classic title. The Buccaneers were the only program to put together a perfect 5-0 mark over the two days to capture their second straight Leadoff crown.

On Saturday, FSW closed out its undefeated run with 8-1 and 12-2 (6 inn.) victories over No. 19 (DII) Lansing Community College and Wabash Valley, respectively. A day earlier, the Buccaneers opened with an 11-3 six-inning win over Illinois Central before taking home a pair of close wins over Jones College, 5-4, and No. 12 San Jacinto, 2-0.

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Chipola, Indian River State College, Pearl River Community College, Rock Valley College and Wallace State all finished 4-1. By virtue of a tiebreaker, Chipola was declared the runner-up. The Indians, 1-1 on Saturday, rolled Triton 18-1 before falling in their finale to No. 8 (DII) Jones College, 9-6. 

The Wildcats, Pioneers, Golden Eagles and Lions each posted a 2-1 mark, wh on the second day. PRCC edged Parkland, 1-0, and topped North Dakota SCS, 8-2. Rock Valley registered victories over Gordon State, 12-4 (6 inn.), and San Jacinto, 8-3, while Wallace defeated Indian River 8-4 in eight innings and North Dakota SCS, 4-3. IRSC opened the morning with a 9-0 shutout of Rock Valley and closed out the day, trumping Parkland, 4-2.

The previously-mentioned Bobcats, who also topped Wabash Valley 6-0, enjoyed a 2-0 Saturday and went home with a 3-2 mark over the two days. Also finishing 3-2 were Seminole State and Des Moines Area Community College. DMACC took two-of-three on Saturday with wins against Gordon State, 7-5, and Seminole State, 1-0.

Four programs – Illinois Central, Lansing, North Dakota SCS and Triton – all picked up their first wins of the tournament on day two. The Stars and Wildcats knocked off Pearl River CC and Gulf Coast State by identical 6-3 scores, while Triton edged Gordon State, 4-3. The Wildcats closed out with t\wo one-run triumphs over DMACC, 3-2, and Seminole State, 6-5 (8 inn.).

Also picking up wins on Saturday were San Jacinto, a 2-0 shutou of Parkland, and Gulf Coast State. The Commodores won a pair of tight ball games, 4-3 over San Jac and 4-2 versus Wallace State.

All-Tournament Team

Janelle Martinez, Chipola

Sydney Kennedy, DMACC

Sydney McCray, Florida SouthWestern

Emmalyn Gable, Gordon State

Cassidy Boltz, Gulf Coast State

Olivia Drish, Illinois Central

Alina Varga, Indian River 

Lauren Lindsey, Jones

Paige Antcliff, Lansing CC

Avery Martin, North Dakota SCS

Grace Bushur, Parkland

Morgan Lavergne , Pearl River

Madison Carlson, Rock Valley

Arriana Wright, San Jacinto

Alisha Wagoner, Seminole State

Nichole Burke, Triton

Kami Johnson, Wabash Valley

Lila Kate Wheeler, Wallace State

Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Leadoff Classics, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and the National Convention

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 6,700 coaches today! 

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