1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
602–285–7500

Phoenix College Softball Team Ranked No. 5 In Nation After National Championships In Iowa

By: Christy Skeen
Photos by: Morgan Lee

Although faced with tornado warnings and 40 degree temperatures, the Phoenix College softball team recently held their own against 11 of the toughest Division II teams in the nation during the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships.

This year the national championship games were hosted by Iowa Central Community College and were held at the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge, Iowa. For the last four years, Phoenix College has competed for the Division II national title and has succeeded to gain nationally award winning status two out of those four years.

Unfortunately the three-time national champs did not bring home a championship title this year; however, they still remain ranked as one of the top five teams in the nation for Division II softball.

"Winning isn’t everything," said Phoenix College head softball coach Heinz Mueller. "I consider ourselves very lucky to have the opportunity to play in the national championship tournament. It was an honor just to be there. We’ve done this for four years in a row…what an accomplishment! Overall, it was quite an experience for all our young ladies to have participated in this tournament. They will never forget this for the rest of their lives."

According to Mueller, the Bears were jinxed during the second day of the tournament.

"I truly believe that the ball did not bounce our way," he added. "A combination of a few errors and 13 runners left on base brought Lansing Community College back in the game. We were just off that day."

Southeastern Community College of West Burlington, Iowa took the 2003 championship title with Lansing Community College as the runner-up.

In addition to Phoenix College being ranked fifth in the nation for Division II softball, outfielder Delane Oscarson was chosen for the 2003 All-Tournament Team.

For more information on the national championship games, please visit http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/departments/athletics/.