BARNESVILLE — After a 4-2 victory over Georgia Military College, the Gordon State College softball team became GCAA Conference Tournament champions, NJCAA Region 17 champions, NJCAA Southeast District champions and advanced to the NJCAAD1 Softball World Series representing the southeast district in Oxford, Alabama.
During the NJCAA Region 17 tournament, the fourth-seeded Highlanders hit .349 for the tournament where they belted nine doubles, 10 home runs and plated 29 runs. Hurler Katelyn Munoz scattered four hits and two runs over seven innings of work while striking out seven GMC Bulldogs. Sydney Knight was named the tournament MVP while Raeghan Byrom along with Kendall Huelsman and Munoz were named to the all-tournament team.
Hattermann said it was GSC softball’s second trip to the World Series during her tenure at GSC. The first was in 2012 where the team qualified and traveled to St. George, Utah, and finished ninth overall.
“It’s always a great and memorable time when the team gets together to play. I felt that we were tested time and time again throughout the season which allowed us to grow and prepare for the postseason. I am so proud of this team for competing their hearts out,” Hattermann said.
The 2023 NJCAA D1 Softball World Series run came to an end for the Highlanders when the team was eliminated by Oklahoma Seminole State Trojans 6-0. The Highlanders finished in ninth place, making the national tournament run a tie win with the team’s ninth-place win in 2012.
Hattermann, who completed 24 seasons in softball at GSC, was named the 2023 NJCAA Division 1 Southeast District Coach of the Year. She holds the title of the most wins by a softball coach in GSC history with 580 wins.
