Wallace State Softball Gets Past Chipola in the NJCAA World Series

The 11th-seeded Wallace State Lions kept their championship dreams alive as they defeated 12th-seeded Chipola 4-3 in the NJCAA World Series in Yuma, AZ. The Lions will play the winner of the 7th-seeded Gaston and the 17th-seeded Crowder in the Final Four at 5:30 on ESPN+.

Wallace State took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Kaelyn Jones singled to start the inning and then advanced to third on Tanayja Thomas' double. Brandy Phillips' flyout brought Jones home for the game's first run.

The Lions extended their lead to 4-0 with three runs in the bottom of the third. Jones started the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball and then to third on Thomas' ground out. Phillips hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Jones to score for a 2-0 lead. Charl Kyser then doubled to plate Phillips for the inning's second run. After Kyser advanced to third on an error, Brooklyn Sertell grounded out but brought home Kyser for a 4-0 lead.

Chipola cut into the lead with a solo home run in the top of the fourth. They put together a rally in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs to cut the lead to 4-3. But, Madeline Howard kept the lead intact by inducing a popup to end the game.

Jones finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Phillips had two RBIs and a run scored, while Kyser had a hit, an RBI, and a run scored. Sertell added an RBI, while Thomas had two hits.

Ava Smith pitched four innings to earn the win. She allowed one run on four hits while striking out two. Phillips pitched two innings of relief, allowing two runs on three hits. Howard picked up the save after working a scoreless seventh.