Softball Earns 2nd Seed in NJCAA Region I Championships

The Chandler-Gilbert Softball team has earned the 2nd seed in the NJCAA Region I Championships after finishing the ACCAC regular season 21-27 (23-29 overall).  The regional championships are a double-elimination playoff and will take place at top-seed Phoenix College Friday and Saturday. The Coyotes will play #3-seed Glendale at 9:00 a.m., and will be followed by the #4/#1 match up, as host Phoenix College host the Thunderbird of Mesa Community College.

"I am very proud of what our team has accomplished this year.  Coming in last year as the number four seed and going to regionals for the first time since 2012, we had the expectation going into this year that we will be at regionals," says third-year head coach, Bry Norris.

The Coyotes were lead by several players, including P Hannah Collins, who was selected All-ACCAC Second Team and All-Region, P Elizabeth Lyon, also selected All-Region, Maci Richardson, selected All-Region Catcher, and OF Tia Craig who was voted All-Region.

"I've seen this program grow over the last year and a half," says Craig.  "It's so incredible to be part of something greater than yourself.

"We want to show everyone how hard we've worked these past two years," she added.  "We want to prove to everyone that we are the team to beat."

This will be the first time the Coyotes have made the regional championships in back to back years since the 2008-2009 campaign, under then head coach Ralph Baldenegro.

"To know all the work, commitment, and dedication that these girls put in since Day One here at CGCC," says Norris.  "Whether this is their first or second year, every day they showed up with the mentality to work and they deserve this #2 seed."

Keep up with the Coyotes via their Twitter @SoftballCGCC.