OXFORD, Ala. (May 27, 2023) - Florida SouthWestern State College won its third straigt National Championship on Saturday, defeating Northwest Florida State College, 10-6, in the Championship Game of the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series.
By winning the All-FCSAA final, the Buccaneers became the first school to win three straight national titles since Central Arizona College completed the hat trick in 1990 on its way to five straight "Nattys."
Like its first title run in 2021, Florida SouthWestern went a perfect 5-0 in the World Series with wins against five different schools. For the first time, however, the Bucs delivered an undefeated postseason - they won all three games at the FCSAA Division I/NJCAA South Atlantic District Championships earlier this month and ended the season on an 11-game winning streak to finish 54-5 overall.
Despite the loss, Northwest Florida State made some history of its own during its first World Series appearance. The Raiders established new school records for wins (57), batting average (.352), runs (515), RBI (472), doubles (129), home runs (92) and total bases (1015).
The teams combined for five home runs on Saturday, including two in the first inning.
Northwest Florida State's Layla Thompson opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the top of the first. Florida SouthWestern's Feline Poot answered with a two-run blast in the bottom half.
Poot hit another two-run shot in the bottom of the second to cap a six-run frame and give the Bucs an 8-2 lead.
After the Raiders cut the lead to 8-4, Poot homered in her third straight at-bat in the fourth - another two-run shot - to extend the Bucs' lead back to six (10-4).
Poot, playing the final game of her FSW career, went 3-for-3 and also walked en route to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Lea Chevrier earned the win in the circle for FSW.
Both teams dominated the All-Tournament Team and individual awards.
Poot was joined on the team by teammates Belle Sardja, Sietske Drijvers and Sydney McCray while Northwest Florida State landed three honorees - Thompson, Julia Petty and Gyvan Hammons.
Drijvers was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player while Sardja was the tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher.
Thompson was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
Florida SouthWestern's Robert Iamurri was presented the Coach of the Tournament Award.