DMACC Softball's 2024 World Series Recap

DMACC arrived at the 2024 NJCAA Division II World Series as an automatic qualifier after winning the Northwest Plains B Championship Game against Dawson (Mont.). As the #8 seed, their first game in the second round came against #9 seed, and eventual champion, St. Johns River State (Fla.).

DMACC gave the ball to their ace Courtney Donahue in hopes of another stellar performance from the All-American. The Bears and Donahue held the Vikings scoreless until the seventh inning. A single and sacrifice fly gave St. Johns River State a 2-0 lead and their starter, Caylee Elder closed the door on DMACC in the final inning.

Donahue went all seven innings, allowing five hits, two runs, zero walks, and four strikeouts. It was just the fourth time this season that Donahue stuck out a single number of hitters. On offense, the Bears only mustered up five hits and weren't able to drive any of their runners home. 

In their first elimination game, DMACC wasted no time scoring four runs in the second and six total runs in the first four innings. They jumped on #4 seed Jones (Miss.) and behind the pitching of Donahue they went on to win 7-3. Donahue pitched the complete game, allowing four hits, three earned runs, while striking out 14 hitters. The Bears offense was a group effort thanks to five different players recording at least one RBI. DMACC combined for 11 hits, five RBI, and two walks.

Following their win against Jones, DMACC faced another elimination game, this time against #3 seed Murray State (OK.). The Bears took an early 1-0 lead after a single by Elle Nelson that brought home Breanna Caffery, who reached on an error. Through five innings DMACC's Macy Blomgren kept Murray State in check, allowing four hits, zero runs, one walk, while striking out six batters.

In the bottom of the sixth inning Murray State finally struck paydirt. Due to a hit and walk, two runners were on when a throwing error by Hilary Wilson scored two runs, giving the Aggies the lead. Murray State's Bradi Harman would shut the door on DMACC's final stand in the seventh and the Bears were defeated 2-1. All the runs scored from the game were unearned runs.

During the season, DMACC went 47-11 overall and 24-4 in conference games. They led the conference in ERA (1.85), WHIP (1.06), shutouts (12), and batting average against (.196). The Bears won the Region 11 Tournament and Northwest Plains Championship before going 1-2 in the NJCAA DII World Series and being eliminated after a 1-2 showing.

DMACC World Series Schedule: 

Round 2: #9 St. Johns River State def. #8 DMACC, 2-0 - Box Score
Elimination Round: #8 DMACC def. #4 Jones College, 7-3 - Box Score
Elimination Round: #3 Murray State def. #8 DMACC, 2-1 - Box Score