NJCAA D1 World Series Winner's Bracket

The Wrangler Softball Team advanced in the winner’s bracket at the NJCAA D1 World Series with at 5-1 victory over Butler (KS) on Wednesday afternoon.

The Wranglers found themselves playing from behind for the first time in months as Butler broke open a 0-0 tie with a two-out RBI in the top of the fourth to put the Grizzlies up 1-0.

 That lead did not last long as the Wranglers scored five runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Odessa loaded the bases with no outs on three straight singles by Kawehi Ili, Morgan Dutton, and Camryn Milley. That brought Michaella Baker to the plate who crushed a grand slam to deep left center field to give the Wranglers a 4-1 lead.

 The grand slam was Bakers second home run in as many days at the World Series. Odessa would add one more in the inning on an infield RBI single by Ariel Gomez that scored Brooke Nauman to make it 5-1 in favor of the Wranglers.

Odessa got another strong pitching performance from start Rayna Cruickshanks who threw 5 inning striking out ten hitters while only giving up the one run on two Butler hits. Emily Brouse made her first appearance of the tournament throwing two shutout innings to close out the Wrangler victory.

With the win, #1 Odessa will face #5 Northwest Florida on Thursday morning at 10am with a ticket to the semifinals on the line.