(Oxford, AL) The Pima Community College softball team’s 2023-24 season came to an end on Tuesday in the second day of the NJCAA Division I World Series.
The Aztecs struggled on offense as they combined for seven hits and two walks on the day. Jazmyne Waddell (San Manuel HS) finished the day 3 for 6 at the plate. She also produced a solid outing in the second game of the day.
Second Round – (#3 seed) Northwest Florida State Raiders 7, (14) Pima Aztecs 0
L – Thompson.
The Aztecs had three hits and one walk for the game as the Raiders took the early lead with four runs in the 1st inning.
The Aztecs had a chance to score in the 3rd inning. Freshman Nevaeah Bracamonte drew a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice-bunt by freshman Natalya Rivera (Sunnyside HS). Martin hit a single to put two runners on, but freshman Aubrey Marx (Cienega HS) grounded out to end the threat.
Freshman Talia Martin (Mountain View HS), Waddell and sophomore Mallory Zylinski-Wrobel (Sahuarita HS) each finished 1 for 3 at the plate. Bracamonte was 0 for 1 with a walk. Sophomore Camila Zepeda’s (Tucson Magnet HS) hitting streak ended at 31 games after she went 0 for 3.
Freshman Jessica Thompson (Tanque Verde HS) didn’t record an out in the 1st inning as she gave up four runs (four earned) on four hits. Bracamonte came in for relief and pitched six innings, giving up three runs (three earned) on five hits with one strikeout and two walks.
Raiders’ pitcher Cailyn Heyl pitched a complete game giving up three hits with three strikeouts and one walk. She retired the final 11 batters for Pima.
Elimination Game – (#20 seed) Trinidad State College Trojans 3, (#14 seed) Pima Aztecs 0
L – Waddell.
The Aztecs managed four hits and one walk for the game. The Trojans took the lead with three runs in the 6th inning.
The Aztecs stranded a runner on base in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. Waddell hit a couple of singles as she went 2 for 3. Marx finished the game 1 for 3 while Rivera was 1 for 2. Martin went 0 for 2 with a walk.
Waddell pitched her second complete-game of the tournament as she went seven innings, giving up three runs (three earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts on 89 pitches.
Trojans pitcher Torie Sandoval pitched all seven innings, giving up four hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
The Aztecs finished the season at 43-14 overall. It was the most wins in a single season since 2015 (46-14). They captured their first Region I, Division I Championship and made their first appearance at the NJCAA World Series since 2013. Sophomore Camila Zepeda (Tucson Magnet HS) became the first Pima softball player to be named ACCAC Player of the Year since Jordan Trujillo in 2010. The Aztecs also produced their second longest winning streak in program history at 26 games.
Coach Rebekah Quiroz completed her sixth season at the helm and is 151-119 overall. Her teams have gone 79-38 in the last two seasons. They were 72-81 in her first four seasons.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
