COD softball team finishes 2nd at national championship

Following a stellar 46-6 record season, the College of DuPage women's softball team finished second in the NJCAA Division III National Championship.

The team lost 6-4 to Gloucester County College in the double-elimination bracket.

The 16-member team, ranked first in the NJCAA Division III, started tournament play with a 9-0 loss to Monroe. But they successfully rebounded in the next four games leading to the championship matchup against Gloucester.

“Our girls were a bit nervous heading into that first game,” Coach Ryan Connell said. “I think we were prepared for the tournament, but the downside was our sophomore girls hadn't been to the championships before. They had no previous experience to work off of and it can be a little intimidating.”

Monroe proved a tough adversary. The team's pitcher had 12 strikeouts in five innings. The Lady Chaparrals prevailed in their next game against Anne Arundel, winning 10-1, and then took the resulting three games against Suffolk (11-0), Itasca (8-0) and Tompkins Cortland (3-1) before heading into the championship game.

“Obviously, we were striving for first place, but we are very happy with our performance overall,” Connell said.

Additionally, players Taylor Kutilek (West Chicago), Jacki Ciran (Addison), Michelle Interrante (Villa Park), Shannon Nevins (Warrenville) and Isabelle Vogt (Wheaton) were named to the conference's first team.

Team members now head into their off season, he said. Connell said he'll teach a softball class this fall as well as get the team in for a few scrimmage games in anticipation of next season. During that time, he'll also look for more athletes to add to the team.

For more information on the College Softball program or to inquire about playing, e-mail Connell at connel@cod.edu, or visit: www.cod.edu/athletics.