AACC Softball, Women's LAX Compete in National Championships

The following article was submitted to Broadneck Patch by Duane Herr, physical education and athletic assistant at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC).

Anne Arundel Community College wraps up spring sports as women’s lacrosse and softball complete their seasons with national championship runs.

The women’s lacrosse team at AACC competed in the NJCAA National Championship last week in Rochester, NY, entering the tournament as the No. 2 seed. In the semi-finals the Pioneers matched up against Onondaga CC, which held the slight advantage on paper after defeating AACC back in March. This time; however, the Pioneers gained the upper hand, defeating Onondaga 12-10 and advancing to the title game.  

The championship featured AACC against top seed and tournament host Monroe CC. The Pioneers held leads of 2-1, 3-2, and 4-3 in the first half but Monroe ended the half with a 6-0 run to lead 10-4. AACC was held to one goal in the second half, losing 17-5 and finishing second.

AACC women’s lacrosse finished the season with a 13-3 record, including regional and district titles and a second place finish in the NJCAA. Four Pioneer lacrosse players earned spots on the national-all tournament team including Brittani Biddinger, Meghenn Jackson, Shannon O’Neal and Sara Boothe.

Anne Arundel’s softball team also competed in its second consecutive national championship tournament which was held this past weekend in Rochester, MN.

The Pioneers held strong early in game 1 against Herkimer but a big fourth inning for Herkimer would give them the momentum to take the 12-1 victory. Later that evening, AACC competed against Itasca CC in the loser’s bracket. The Pioneers were down 5-1 entering the final inning but surrendered a five run frame for a nine run deficit. Adding a final run in the bottom half of the inning, the Pioneers lost the game 10-2.

With two losses the Pioneers moved on to the 7th place playoff game against St. Cloud Tech and CC. After rain delayed a full day of games the final contest for AACC was played on Saturday. The two teams battled combining for 25 runs in the game but St. Cloud held the one run advantage to top the Pioneers 13-12.

AACC softball finishes the 2013 season with a 15-26 record, region and district titles, consecutive national tournament appearances and an eighth place finish in NJCAA Division III.