The Phoenix College softball team captured its 9th national title this weekend in Clinton, Miss., at the NJCAA Division II National Softball Championship.
The Bears beat defending national champion Louisiana State University-Eunice twice on Saturday, May 19 -- the final day of the tournament -- to finish off a successful season.
For PC Head Coach Heinz Mueller, it was the eighth PC team he has guided to a national championship. Coach Mueller earned his 1,000th win as PC coach in March, making him one of only three NJCAA Division II softball coaches with more than 1,000 wins.
The Lady Bears entered the tournament ranked number two in the nation and won its first three games. But it dropped its fourth game to LSU-Eunice, 3-2 on Friday, forcing them to win three games on Saturday to earn the title.
With solid pitching from Sarah Ray, who won four games in the tournament, and Gina VanArsdall, who won two games, and a surge of power hitting led by Rachel Meyer, the Bears met the challenge. They hit a tournament record 12 home runs.
Meyer, who set a tournament record with six home runs, was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Ray was the Outstanding Pitcher and Valles captured Outstanding Offensive Player. Coach Mueller earned Outstanding Coach honors.
Three other PC players were named to the All Tournament Team: Cheyenne Adams, Krystal Garcia and VanArsdall.
The double elimination tournament also gave the players some great exposure on and off the field. It included banquets, socials, a home-run derby and a fireworks display.
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