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Raider softball wins state championship

Sunday, Apr 29, 2012
Joseph Hunter

The Seminole State softball team poses during its run to the state championship.

For the first time ever, Seminole State College of Florida’s softball team won the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) State Championship on April 29 in Pensacola and earned one of two berths in the junior college national championship tournament.

The state championship game was Seminole State’s third consecutive of the day, as it took two games to eliminate Santa Fe College from contention in the double-elimination tournament and clinch the Atlantic Division Championship. The victory earned Seminole State a trip to the state championship game and one of two Florida berths in the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship tournament May 17-19 in St. George, Utah.

In the FCSAA Championship Game, against Gulf Division champion State College of Florida, Seminole State pulled ahead on the strength of a two-run home run by sophomore Jessica Gipson in the top of the sixth inning, giving the Raiders a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish. With strong pitching and defense, including a possible home run-saving play at center field by Rachel Sherman in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Raiders held on to defeat the Manatees – previously unbeaten in tournament play – and win the state championship.

Seminole State pitcher Lauren Vinson, outfielder Kristie Hoeffer, and infielders Kalee Tabor and Jessica Gipson were named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team. The four also received Atlantic District All-Tournament honors, along with catcher Jordan Cook and utility player Rachel Sherman.