LCC softball team falls in World Series

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC softball team was sent home from the NJCAA World Series in South Carolina after a loss on Wednesday, May 24.

The Lady Stars lost 8-0 to South Mountain CC in an elimination round after winning 7-6 earlier in the day to survive against Delaware Technical CC.

The Lady Stars initially lost 8-0 in a first-round matchup on Tuesday, May 23 vs. Copiah-Lincoln CC, which sent LCC into an elimination round.

Despite the tournament exit, the Lady Stars had a successful season, finishing at 35-19 overall. Head coach Marc Kibby spoke about his team, mentioning prior to the tournament that the women were excited, and wanted to leave their mark.

“The toughest part of the season is when you don't reach that ultimate goal the team has worked for,” Kibby said. “But to put it in perspective for them, it's about what you learned here as a player, about (being a) team, about the friends you have made, the experiences, the highs, the lows you will be able to talk about the rest of your life.

“Someday, teach this game to the upcoming kids playing ball; your own kids someday. Remember always, this is just a game.”

Kibby also mentioned leaning on the sophomores prior to the World Series. He spoke about what went wrong in the national tournament.

“I'd say that our bats were inconsistent throughout the World Series,” Kibby said. “(That) was the biggest thing that affected our outcome. Now the freshmen know what it takes. We’re back to work, getting ready for the incoming freshmen, so they’re ready to make another run next year.”

Sophomore pitcher Morgen Ahlfeld finished the season leading all LCC pitchers in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and ERA. Ahlfeld tallied 22 wins, 175 innings, 198 strikeouts, five complete games and a 3.36 ERA.

Three players finished with double-digit home runs totals for the Lady Stars, who had 73 total on the season. Freshman catcher/infielder Paige Antcliff led the team with 14 homers. Freshman pitcher/outfielder Madison Travis hit 13 and sophomore infielder Jillian Harris slugged 11 home runs.

Sophomore infielder Shelby Warner led LCC in batting average at .425, Harris was a close second with a .412 average. Harris led the team with 70 hits.

Travis led the team by a long shot in RBIs; she drove in 63 runs on the year. The next highest RBI total was 45 from Antcliff.

Speedy catcher Jenna Morse led the team in steals with 15. Harris was next highest with eight.

The Lady Stars season was still an overall success. They won the MCCAA Western Conference with a 25-5 record and made it to the NJCAA Division II World Series.