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Jun 20, 2023

Potomac State's season ends at World Series, four players honored

Alexis Bailey, Abby Peace, Grace Walsh, and Alexa Shoemaker made the All-East

Alexis Bailey, Abby Peace, Grace Walsh, and Alexa Shoemaker made the All-East Region List.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WV News) — The Potomac State Lady Catamounts, despite dropping both games narrowly at the NJCAA Division II World Series, made inroads in 2023. Everything about the season overall, and the World Series experience particularly, shows that the Lady Catamounts’ program absolutely is able to compete at the highest of levels.

Last season, at the World Series, Potomac State drew the 16th seed and faced off against No. 1 Des Moines Area Community College.

They lost, but not before taking the nation's top team to the brink, losing just 6-5.

In the second game, they fell 4-0 to Triton College.

This year, the Lady Cats’ resume earned them a higher seed, 11th. At this year's World Series, Potomac State dropped both games, but both were by one run. Jones College defeated Potomac State, 6-5, in extra innings. Jackson College then edged PSC, 2-1.

"We knew going in that we would have to play perfect down there, playing against teams that are in the top 10 teams in the nation. We had some big hits in the first game, but overall, we really didn't hit well enough," Potomac State coach Craig Rotruck stated.

According to Rotruck, "Of course the pitching down there, overall, is better than what we face throughout the season. And of course, the hitting is very good as well."

While on paper, losing by just one run in each game indicates a very strong showing for Potomac State against the nation's best, Rotruck, a fierce competitor, draws no solace from a close loss.

"You know me, in my eyes, losing by one run is no better than losing by 10 runs, it's still a loss. You practice hard. You play hard. You prepare hard. You want to win."

Game 1 (Jones College 6, Potomac State 5)

Seven innings of regulation play was not enough for Jones College to put Potomac State away. It would take a run in the eighth inning to seal the deal, 6-5.

Potomac State got on the board first with three runs in the top of the third inning, thanks to a home run ball by Alexis Bailey that scored herself, Alexa Shoemaker, and Grace Walsh.

Jones College would respond with one run in the bottom of the second and four more in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-3 lead.

A fifth inning solo home run by Walsh and a seventh inning solo home run by Shoemaker brought the game to a 5-5 tie at the end of seven innings.

Jones, however, would score the deciding run in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the win, 6-5.

Jones out-hit Potomac State 14-5 and committed only one error compared to three for Potomac State.

Potomac State was led offensively by Bailey, Walsh and Shoemaker with those home runs.

Bailey also doubled, scored one run, and added three RBIs. Walsh scored two runs and added an RBI. Shoemaker also singled, scored two runs, and tallied an RBI.

Abby Peace went the distance for Potomac State in the loss. In 7 1/3 innings, Peace struck out eight, walked four, and gave up six runs on 14 hits.

Game 2 (Jackson College 2, Potomac State 1)

Jackson College ended Potomac State's World Series experience, and season in general, with a 2-1 victory over the Lady Cats. Potomac State's lone run came in the bottom of the fourth inning off a solo home run by Bailey.

Jackson College's two runs were bookends, one in the first inning and won in the seventh. That one was the decider.

Jackson College out-hit Potomac State six to two, and committed zero errors compared to one for Potomac State.

Bailey led the way offensively for Potomac State with the home run, which included a run scored and an RBI. Walsh singled for the other hit.

Peace again went the distance for Potomac State in the loss. Peace, in seven innings, struck out three, walked four, and gave up two runs on six hits.

Post-season honors

The hard work and effort of the Lady Catamounts is bearing fruit.

It was just announced that four Potomac State players have earned recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as members of the All-East Region Team.

This isn't just the Region XX, but literally the whole East Region.

Three players, Peace (pitcher), Bailey (first base), and Walsh (outfield), earned First Team honors.

Shoemaker (shortstop) earned Second Team honors.

"This is quite an accomplishment. I don't necessarily have my hands on all of the program's old records, but I don't know that Potomac State has ever had one player, let alone four players, earn this distinction," Rotruck stated.

According to Rotruck, "And what makes it extra special, while we nominate our players for the recognition, I can't vote for my own players. So this shows that they’ve drawn the attention, through the stats provided, or through conversation with other coaches, for the good work they’ve done."

Conclusion

While the outcome, two losses, was certainly not the desired outcome at the World Series, Rotruck is very proud of everyone associated with the program for their effort and hard work throughout the season. It starts with the players and coaches.

"We’re fortunate to have the right coaches in place. I can't say enough about the job my assistant coaches do, and we work well together as a team. You have to work together to get the job done," Rotruck stated.

According to Rotruck, "We’ve also been able to attract some really good talent the last couple of years. And they’re not just talented, they are willing to put the work in and it shows."

The program had a rich history of success. Rotruck's goal has been to honor that past success by building upon it. To date, he and those associated with the program have been successful at doing so. Back to back showings at the World Series are proof of that.

With the same winning formula moving forward, no doubt good things will continue to happen.

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