PALATKA, Fla. - St. Johns River State College scored seven runs in its first at-bat and pitcher Alexa Michon did the rest, helping the Vikings to an 8-0 win over Lake-Sumter State College and the FCSAA's Division II Softball Championship.
St. Johns River State successfully defended its FCSAA crown, albeit in different fashion from 2024, when the Vikings were recognized as champs based on its first-place finish during regular season play in the Sun-Lakes Conference.
This season, the top-ranked Vikings, who were playing before a boistous home crowd, outscored their opponents 30-6 over three games in three games.
St. Johns River State opened the tournament on Thursday with a 12-1 win over Florida Gateway College then beat Lake-Sumter State, 10-5, in Friday's winner's bracket final.
Lake-Sumter State earned the rematch with an 11-3 win over Florida Gateway in Friday afternoon's elimination game.
After Michon stranded two Lakehawk baserunners in the top of the first, the Vikings went to work.
Jenelle Cruz' two-run single put the home team on the board. She later scored on a two-RBI single from Megan O'Keefe. After Olivia Hansen doubled in a run to make it 5-0, Princess Arredondo picked up her second hit of the inning, a two-run single to give St. Johns River State a 7-0 lead.
The Vikings only scored one run the rest of the way - a solo homer by O'Keefe in the third - but the damage was done.
Arredondo, Cruz, O'Keefe and Bailey LeGere had two hits apiece. LeGere was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after batting .700 (7-for-10) over the three games.
Michon was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher for her effort on Saturday.
St. Johns River State will move on to the NJCAA DII South District Championship Series agianst the ACCC Champion. The best-of-3 series will be played in Palatka on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10.