Cozort, Powell play in World Series in freshmen seasons

The freshmen softball seasons for Draughn athletes of the year Katie Cozort and Maddison Powell were memorable as both of their respective teams at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Caldwell Community College played in the World Series postseason tournaments.

“It was a really cool experience being around a lot of good talent,” said Cozort.

The Lady Bears (52-18) started out the postseason by playing five games in the South Atlantic Conference tournament, including back-to-back one-run wins over rival Wingate. They advanced to a two-game championship series with Anderson (SC) University, winning 7-6 and 3-2 and moving on to the NCAA Division II Southeast regional tournament.

After opening with a 10-2 win over Lander, Lenoir-Rhyne once again matched up with Wingate for three straight games, all resulting in wins for advancement to the Super Regional series with North Georgia.

The Lady Bears lost the opening game to North Georgia 11-3 but rebounded with 6-4 and 9-1 wins to make history as the first South Atlantic Conference team to play in the NCAA Division II World Series.

Lenoir-Rhyne played for four days in Longwood, Florida, at Boombah-Soliders Creek Park, opening with a 1-0 win in nine innings over Auburn Montgomery.

It was followed by a 1-0 loss to Indianapolis, only to rebound with a 6-4 nine-inning win over Wilmington.

The Lady Bears’ season ended with a 5-2 loss to UT-Tyler, the eventual NCAA Division II National Champion, for a fourth-place finish after starting out as the 23rd seed.

While Cozort didn’t play in the postseason, she believes the Lady Bears can return.

“We know we belong there; next year could be even better; hoping we can make another (postseason) run.”

“The experience and opportunity just to be there and have a chance was something I’ll be forever grateful for,” said Powell, about her week in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the NJCAA Division III World Series.

The Caldwell Lady Cobras (30-21) finished runner-up in the NJCAA Division III Region 10 Tournament to advance as an at-large bid.

“It was really tough for us not knowing for sure if we’d even make it in, but we continued to practice every day just as we had all season with full faith and determination that we would be selected and given another chance.”

Caldwell received the fifth seed for the World Series tournament, as learned through a phone call.

“Hearing our school called out and knowing I’d get to play with these girls one more time was the most unreal feeling; I remember our first meeting (as a team), and Coach Scott (Triplett) was going over the expectations he had for us this past season. No matter how many highs or lows we experience, remember our big goal to make the World Series; we just did that!

Caldwell started out with a 12-0 five-inning win over RCSJ Gloucester, followed by a 7-5 loss to North Dakota State College of Science to fall into the elimination bracket.

The Lady Cobras rebounded with wins over Rhode Island (8-7) and RCSJ Gloucester (17-6), but the season ended in their second matchup with North Dakota SCS falling 4-1 to finish third.

“We didn’t go in being satisfied (by just making it), and we were gonna do everything we could to win or put on a good show trying.”

Patrick & Henry, the Region 10 Tournament champions, were the eventual NJCAA Division III National Champions.

Powell played in all five games for the Lady Cobras as a second baseman, scoring seven runs on three hits, two walks, and an RBI.

“Our week in Chattanooga was amazing, and we had a great time both on and off the field, and there’s no other way I would’ve wanted our season to end.”

“I will miss our sophomores next year, but I know they are going to continue to grow and shine in their next journeys; this year was a special one with some special girls and coaches, and I look forward to being back in the same position next year giving ourselves a chance to win it all.”

Brevard College Softball: Regan Winkler

Another former Wildcat alumni finished her first season at Brevard College, ranking fourth in batting average (.261), scoring nine runs off 24 hits and batting in 14 runs for the Lady Tornadoes.

Playing as a catcher and a third baseman, Winkler registered a .974 fielding percentage with a team-best 180 putouts and was also involved in six double plays.

Incoming Freshman

These are recent Draughn and East Burke graduates who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Please notify if anyone else needs to be included

Lenoir-Rhyne Football: Nigel Dula, Jesus Becerra, Brady Bostain

Averett Football: Jacob Dellinger

NC State Football: Eli Tillery

Hampden-Sydney Football: Hampton Blackwell

Sweet Briar College Women’s Soccer: Yadira Castrejon

CVCC Baseball: Logan McGee

Blake McElyea (undecided, baseball)

Southern Wesleyan Softball: Maddie Crouch

Lees McRae Softball: Katie Hamm

University of Louisville Men’s Track & Field: KJ Byrd

East Carolina University Men’s Track & Field: Avery Fraley