OXFORD, Ala. - After claiming the 2024 Region 9 Championship, the Trinidad State Softball team advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association's Softball World Series as the Tournament's 20th and final seed.
This ranking did not foresee the magical run to come.
The Trojans stumbled out of the gate, losing its first game 10-2 to the 13th seed Odessa College (42-12). Fortunately for TSC, the NJCAA World Series is a double elimination tournament.
Facing elimination, Trinidad State rebounded with a strong 3-0 over Pima College (43-14). The game remained scoreless until the Trojans plated three runs in the 6th inning. Ciara Spencer's single would bring home Marissa Henry, giving TSC a 1-0 lead. After advancing to second base on the play, Spencer came home on a single from Mia Flores. Jenisah Mora would then bring home Flores for a 3-0 lead. Torie Sandoval pitched a gem. She threw seven scoreless innings, giving up only four hits while striking out six.
The Trojans advanced to play the 6th seed, Salt Lake Community College (47-9), the following day.
Sandoval would again take the mound, delivering another masterpiece. After Salt Lake scored an unearned run in the first inning, Trinidad State trailed until the sixth inning. A Mia Flores double would bring home Kenzie Mendoza to tie the game 1-1. Elizabeth Thorngren would then single to take the lead, 2-1. Sandoval again pitched seven full innings, striking out five and giving up only one unearned run.
Next up was a rematch with Odessa. The Wranglers would jump out to a 3-0 lead before Trinidad State added a run in the fifth inning on a clutch hit from Marissa Henry. Odessa held this 3-1 lead until the bottom of the seventh inning. Henry again led the way with a two-run single to tie the score, 3-3. A Ciara Spencer single then brought home Zoey Gallegos.
In their do-or-die moment, the Trojans rallied for three runs to claim a 4-3 victory. For the third straight game, these 'Cardiac Kids' had come through with late game heroics.
Advancing to the Elite Eight, Trinidad State would next face the 10th seed, Walters State (46-10). Sadly, the Cinderella story would come to an end with a 4-1 loss.
"Though we didn't win a national championship, the team left Alabama as winners with so many fans from across the states," Head Coach Steve Swazo said. "Getting to play on ESPN+ and showing their softball skills to the world was so much fun. We showed that we belong with the best."
"They were the definition of 'team,'" he added. "They believed in one another— they became 'we over me.'"
Trinidad State would earn the Sportsmanship Award from the NJCAA. "Congratulations on an awesome run in the World Series," read a statement from NJCAA's Bailey Grossetti. "Trinidad State College was so fun to watch. I just wanted to reach out and let TSC know that you all were selected for the Sportsmanship Award."
Marissa Henry was also selected to the NJCAA D-1 Softball World Series All-Tournament Team.
The Trojans finished the year with the first 40-win season in school history. The team claimed both the Region 9 conference regular season and tournament championships. Coach Swazo secured his 500th collegiate win. The Trojans finished with the second most home runs in a single season at 116. TSC graduated 14 student athletes.
Torie Sandoval, who will play next year for NCAA DII Rogers State University, broke every pitching record during her two-year career at Trinidad State: most career wins (49), most career strikeouts (381), lowest ERA (2.46), most innings pitched (353), most wins in a single season (27) and most strikeouts in a season (196).
Trinidad State enjoyed a truly magical World Series run, capturing the hearts of many with their late game heroics. "This team will have some great stories to tell their kids one day," Swazo said. "They showed their true heart until the very end."
Trinidad State would like to extend a special 'Congratulations' to Head Coach Steve Swazo for reaching 500 collegiate wins—a true milestone. Coach Swazo was also named Coach of the Year for the Northwest Plains District.
"I want to offer a huge 'Thank You' to the parents of these players for giving me the opportunity to coach their daughters," Swazo said. "This appreciation also extends to former parents and their families, to our fans, and to Trinidad State leadership for its support. I will always be Trojan Proud!"
- TROJAN PROUD -