Northampton Community College's women's softball team beat Westmoreland County Community College 5–4 and 8–0 at home, on Sunday, May 4, to capture the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association state championship. It is the Lady Spartans' fourth state title in the last six years.

Game one was a nail biter, going into extra innings. The Woflpack from western Pennsylvania immediately jumped out to a 4–0 lead. The Spartans rallied and scored one run in the 3^rd inning, two runs in the 4th, and tied the game in the bottom of the 7^th on a double by Tami Kilousky and a single by Gretchen Willever. NCC clinched the game in the bottom of the 8^th inning on a bases-loaded hit by Katlyn Snyder. Snyder was 3-4 at the plate, and Kilousky was the winning pitcher. She struck out eight, while playing on two severely sprained ankles.

NCC was the visiting team in game 2, and they were hungry to secure the title. They jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the 1^st inning and never looked back. Six runs were scored in the top of the 4^th inning to end the game by the mercy rule after five innings. Colee Fleming and Gretchen Willever hit home runs. Katlyn Snyder and Stef Snyder went 2–2. Brittany Rhinehart was the winning pitcher, only allowing three hits.

Making NCC’s win even more impressive is the fact that Westmoreland was ranked 10^th in the nation in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III poll as of Friday, May 2. WCCC will be one of eight teams playing for the national championship in the NJCAA World Series on May 15 -17 in Minnesota.

And talk about good sportsmanship! Luzerne County Community College softball players were at the game rooting for NCC in the championship, even though the Spartans beat them in the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference tournament. Players from Luzerne drove an hour and half just to show their support. Thanks, ladies!

Congratulations Spartans!