CINCINNATI, Ohio - For the second time in as many years the Mount St. Joseph University softball program is headed to the NCAA tournament. The Lions after a successful regular season, dominated the Heartland Conference Tournament securing the HCAC Championship in Lexington last Sunday. With the victory the Lions earned the right to compete in the NCAA Regionals.
For the second straight season the Lions took home the HCAC Championship trophy. It looked like deja vu in Lexington as the Lions repeated what they accomplished a year ago. Last season the Lions entered the HCAC Tournament as the #2 seed with a record of 30-8 and 14-2 in HCAC play trailing just Transylvania. The Lions cruised through tournament play and were able to defeat the Pioneers on their home field for the HCAC title.
This season looked like more of the same but, with a plethora of young talent for the Lions squad. The Mount finished the regular season with a record of 31-9 and 12-4 in HCAC play. The Lions entered the HCAC tournament as the #2 seed and rolled past Defiance and Hanover making it to the Championship versus #1 Transylvania. The Lions downed the Pioneers on their home field once again punching their ticket to the national tournament while picking up some hardware.
The Lions found out Monday where they would be traveling for the NCAA Regional Tournament. The Lions are set to play in Geneseo, New York where they will face off against SUNY-Geneseo, the host team.
The Lions have been headlined by dominant Senior pitcher
Kamryn McCool. On the season McCool finished with a 17-4 record while posting a 1.10 ERA. McCool also became the All-Time leader in strikeouts punching out 162 batters this season while surrendering just 22 earned runs. McCool was a dominant force in the HCAC tournament pitching a combined 21 innings allowing just 12 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 25 batters.
The Lions young talent has been showcased at the plate. Freshman
Macy Cornelius was named the HCAC Newcomer of the Year after a masterful season thus far. The starting shortstop for the Lions has been tearing it up at the plate hitting .444 on the season with 12 doubles, 3 triples and 25 RBIs. Cornelius has also been an issue for opposing teams on the base paths going a perfect 10-10 on steals.
The Lions will begin NCAA Regional play this Friday, May 13th where they will take on the host team SUNY-Geneseo at 4:30pm.
The rest of the regional will feature Stevens and Babson.
Click
HERE for the tournament page for links to all the contests.
