Congratulations to the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Women’s Softball Team!
The Bears have secured their second NCJAA title in two years—making them ten-time national champions.
The Bears took the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association (NCJAA), Division II Championship trophy on Sun, May 29. The explosive 13-5 win against Oklahoma’s Murray State College (MSC) at Choccolocco Park, in Oxford, AL, made the Bears back-to-back champions for their 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ (Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ) blasted three home runs, including a grand slam. The Bears swept through the national tournament as the Number 2 seed, with five wins. Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ outscored its opponents with an outstanding 38-12 margin, including one shutout.
Brianna Hardy pitched all seven innings, giving up five runs en route to surpassing 400 strikeouts on the year, and earned Tournament MVP honors. Hardy recently secured her hundredth game victory, and became the first pitcher in NJCAA history to reach 100 wins with her team.
Ali Ashner was awarded Outstanding Offensive Player of the Tournament.
Heinz Mueller, who has served as head coach since 1990—and was recently inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame—expressed gratitude to the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ community and staff, saying, "Without your support, we wouldn't be champions."
He also thanked the players, acknowledging their strong records both on, and off, the field. "Our team had a combined 3.49 GPA, and seven players graduated in May. The Bears are truly student athletes, who perform in the classroom, and on the field. I'm so proud to coach them."
at the NCJAA Site. Get the inside scoop on softball, and all Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ sports. Visit the Athletics Site at .
The team celebrates their win at the NCJAA Division II Championship Game, May 29, 2022, at Oxford, AL. Photo: NCJAA.
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Softball Head Coach, Heinz Mueller, and team in preparation.
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Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ is the flagship of the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. Established in 1920, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training.