2014 NCCAA SOFTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP INFO

By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – Having focused on and eventually becoming the best team in one of the toughest NCAA Division II conferences in the nation, they are now concentrating on winning the national championship that eluded them a year ago.

On Thursday, the Shorter softball team returns to the same field in the Old Dominion where it saw their 2013 season come to a disappointing end when the Lady Hawks begins its title quest at National Christian College Athletic Association Softball National Championship tournament being held at the Botetourt (Va.) Sports Complex.

Once again, Shorter enters the event as the top seed in the 10-team field carrying a 38-10 record – the regular season included winning the Gulf South Conference championship for the second straight year, although they are unable to play in the GSC and NCAA postseason due to Shorter's transition to the Division II ranks – and like last year fresh from having claim the NCCAA South Region crown.

That, however, is where the Lady Hawks want the similarities to end.

"We weren't too happy with the way we played," head coach Al Thomas, who was named the NCCAA Region Coach of the Year and saw six of his players earn All-Region honors, said about the Lady Hawks' three-game region sweep last week, all of the contests being decided in nail-biting fashion.

"I think it was because we were so focused on winning the conference and when we did, it was hard to refocus," Thomas said. "But now we've got a whole new season ahead of us and the team has turned their attention to it."

First and foremost on the Lady Hawks' agenda will be their tourney opener Thursday at 10 a.m. when they take on the winner on the winner of a first-round game that will be played earlier in the day between No. 8 Central Baptist and No. 9 Cedarville.

Play in the double-elimination event continues Friday and concludes Saturday with the championship game set for noon and, if needed, a final deciding game, as was the case last year when Shorter fell in a semifinal test, battled back to reach the title clash and forced the "if" game before falling to eventual champion and fellow GSC member Union.

Like last year, Union is back in the NCCAA national tournament and as was the case in 2013 is the No. 6 seed. Oklahoma Christian, Azusa Pacific and Grace round out the top five seeds behind Shorter, while Campbellsville and GSC newcomer Mississippi College round out the field.

Against such a list of teams, the Lady Hawks know they must continue to come up with what has worked for them this season – a potent hitting attack, a well-grounded defense and a trio of pitchers who thwart opposing offenses.

With eight players hitting above .300, the top five batters for the Lady Hawks all emerged gaining NCCAA All-Region recognition – Felicia Morris (.389), Ericka Bynum (.387), Jackie Castaneda (.364), Paige Rowland (.328) and Kayla Cooper (.321.)

As a team, Shorter has unloaded for 42 home runs, with Bynum and Rowland having eight round-trippers each.

In the circle, three Lady Hawks have toed the rubber with success all season – NCCAA Region Pitcher of the Year Christina Ezell, who has an 18-6 record with a 1.61 ERA, Maddie Bray (7-0, 1.94) and Kalie Kimbrell (11-4, 2.31.)

The Lady Hawks held their final workout Tuesday at their home field at the Alto Park Softball Complex before leaving for the nationals, a session that Thomas felt provided a glimpse of what lies ahead.

 "We got in the right frame of mind," he said.