Phoenix, Arizona-- The Phoenix College Bears got the better of the CGCC Coyotes in both baseball and softball competition as they were able to crown themselves NJCAA Region 1 Champions, leaving the Coyotes as Runners-Up in both sports, respectively.
After beating Paradise Valley in the semi-final series, the Coyote baseball club traveled to Phoenix College for the best two out of three championship series against the host Bears. In game one, the Coyotes went up one run in the top of the 9th but were walked off in the bottom of the 9th, losing 7-6. In game two, despite the Coyotes leaving multiple runners on base in scoring position they weren't able to fully execute at the plate and brings all those runners home. Phoenix College scored three runs in the bottom of the 8th to take a commanding lead as they held on to win 5-3. Baseball can be a cruel sport as one or two things that do or don't go your way can decide a game, unfortunately the Coyotes were on the losing side this time around but still have an immense amount of things to be proud of this season. In 60 games they scored 337 runs with 27 home runs and a batting average of .273.
In his first year as the head honcho, Jon Watson lead his team to the brink of the NJCAA World Series. Coach Watson will look to build upon this strong season and retool for next year in hopes of making another deep post season run.
Unfortunately the CGCC Softball team sufferred a similar fate as the baseball team, losing to those pesky Phoenix College Bears in the NJCAA Region 1 Championship game. In the Region 1 tournament, which breaks down a little differently than it does in baseball, CGCC Softball beat South Mountain Community College in resounding fashion 11-5 behind a 2-4 hitting performance from standout catcher Bri Jackson, including two RBI on the day. They then faced off with top seeded Phoenix College and lost 8-0. The softball tournament is double elimination so the Yotes responded with a big 13-5 win over Glendale College. Against Glendale, Brandee Ayala shined going 3-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Bri Jackson once again played well hitting a home run to give her three RBI on the afternoon.
That huge win set up a rematch with the juggernaut Phoenix College softball team, who has won 10 national championships in the last 12 years, for a chance to punch a ticket to the NJCAA Softball World Series. Despite making it interesting at the end with two runners in scoring position and one run scored on a Pheonix Bear throwing error, the Coyote softball team was unable to earn the win, eventually losing 6-1.
Veteran Chandler Gilbert Coach Bry Norris is immensly proud of the grit and perseverance her team showed all season and is looking forward to running it back again in the 2023 season!