Wallace State Softball earns No. 3 seed at NJCAA tournament

Hanceville, AL — Wallace State Community College Softball is the No. 3 seed in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division I Softball Championship starting Tuesday, May 23 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. The team punched their ticket to nationals after winning the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) title earlier this month at Veterans Park in Alabaster.

The Lions will take on No. 14 seed Kaskaskia College out of Illinois at 4 p.m., Tuesday in the first round of play.

The Lions finished the regular season 51-5 and 25-0 at home. At the ACCC Championship, the Lions swept the competition, outscoring their opponents 28-6 to win their 15th ACCC title. Freshman Emily Simon of Athens was named tournament MVP, with first-year coach Carson Owens named ACCC Coach of the Year.

Also receiving honors at the ACCC Championship game were sophomore Alivia Wilken of New Market, and freshmen Lila Kate Wheeler and Hannah Duncan, both of Pisgah, who all were named to the All-Tournament team.

Wilken and Lila Kate Wheeler were named to the ACCC All-Region 22 First Team. Freshmen Katie Simon of Athens and Laura Leigh Wheeler of Sulligent were named to the All-Region 22 Second Team. Emily Simon, Katie Simon, Wilken, Laura Leigh Wheeler and Lila Kate Wheeler were all named to the All-North Division Team.

Wallace State Softball is a two-time NJCAA Division I national champion, having earned the trophy in 2008 and 2013.

The 2023 NJCAA Division I Softball Tournament will be held May 23-27 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., and will be available to watch on NJCAA.org/network with the Championship Game on ESPN+.

Tickets are $12 per person, per day for adults, $10 senior/youth, free for children 12 and under. Tournament passes are $35 per person.