The North Dakota State Wildcats and the Patrick & Henry Patriots are set to clash in the NJCAA Division III Softball National Championship, promising an electrifying showdown at Frost Stadium. The top-seeded Wildcats, boasting a 54-10 record, face off against the second-seeded Lady Patriots, who carry a 34-24 record, in a battle that brings the season’s finest teams head-to-head.
North Dakota SCS vs. Patrick & Henry
Frost Stadium – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Television: NJCAA Television Network
TV Talent: Gabriel Schray (play-by-play)
TV Talent: Nate Swanson (analyst)
Under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Oehlke, the Wildcats have established themselves as a dominant force in NJCAA Division III softball. Oehlke, in his seventh season, guided the Wildcats to their first national championship in 2023. This year, the Wildcats continue to display remarkable prowess, leading the nation in several offensive categories, including runs (530), hits (635), doubles (141), and home runs (67). Sophomore Avery Martin and freshman Grace Folkema have been standout players, with Martin excelling at the plate and Folkema dominating in the circle with a nation-leading 14.17 strikeouts per game.
North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats
Record: 54-10 (.850), Conference: 22-2 (.917) Head Coach: Mike Oehlke, 7th season Streak: Won 10 Home: 16-0, Away: 22-6, Neutral: 13-3 Mascot: Wildcats
The Lady Patriots, led by Head Coach Roger Campbell, are making their first national championship appearance in program history. Campbell, in his ninth season, has transformed the program into a competitive force, earning the 2024 NJCAA Division III Region 10 Coach of the Year honor. Patrick & Henry has been formidable against ranked opponents, holding an 8-2 record. Morgan Strickland, the 2024 NJCAA Division III Region 10 Player of the Year, has been a dual-threat, leading the team in home runs (12) and wins (20) while also ranking third in the nation with 195 strikeouts.
Patrick & Henry Community College Lady Patriots
Record: 34-24 (.556), Conference: 13-2 (.867) Head Coach: Roger Campbell, 9th season Streak: Won 9 Home: 10-5, Away: 9-12, Neutral: 11-7 Mascot: Lady Patriots
The Wildcats secured their spot in the championship by winning the Region 13B tournament and defeating DuPage in a best-of-three series. Their path in the World Series included victories over Rochester, Caldwell Tech, and a loss to Patrick & Henry, which they avenged by defeating Caldwell Tech again in the elimination round.
Patrick & Henry advanced to the championship by winning the Region 10 tournament and defeating Owens in a two-game series. Their World Series journey saw wins over Herkimer and Corning, setting up a semifinal rematch against North Dakota SCS, which they won 4-3 in an eight-inning thriller.
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Key Players to Watch for North Dakota SCS include Avery Martin, a sophomore catcher/third baseman, who leads the team in hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, and batting average (.470). Grace Folkema, a freshman pitcher, who leads the nation in strikeouts with 395, averaging 14.17 per game, and just set a new season record for strikeouts.
Key Players to Watch for Patrick & Henry include Morgan Strickland, a sophomore pitcher/infielder, who leads the team in doubles, home runs, RBI, and batting average (.485), and is also third in the nation in pitching wins. As well as Laila Rodriguez. She is a freshman middle infielder/pitcher, who leads the nation in stolen bases with 62, and boasts a batting average of (.484).
Previous Matchup
The two teams have met once in the tournament, with Patrick & Henry pulling off a 4-3 upset over North Dakota SCS in an extra-inning battle. Strickland was pivotal in that game, both offensively with a two-RBI double and a solid pitching performance, and defensively, as the Wildcats were held scoreless after the fourth inning.
Championship Outlook
The national championship promises to be a thrilling contest between the offensive might of North Dakota SCS and the balanced attack of Patrick & Henry. With both teams at the peak of their form and carrying impressive winning streaks, fans can expect a hard-fought and closely contested game.
The championship game will be held at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM EDT. Fans can follow the action live through various streaming options and live stats.
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