YUMA, Ariz. — Over three decades and more than 4,000 games later, the moment finally arrived: Northwest Florida State Softball are national champions.
The Raiders made history on Saturday afternoon, taking down No. 1 Florida SouthWestern 4-1 to capture their first-ever NJCAA National Championship, capping off a season for the ages in Yuma, Ariz.
It was a four-run third inning that proved to be the difference. Sara Watson and Haley Hughes reached to start the frame, followed by Lulu Luedtke reaching on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Then, it was Sister Arnold delivering in the clutch—roping a stand-up double off the left-field wall to score two. Just two batters later, Bre Hughes came through once again with a two-run double of her own, giving the Raiders a commanding 4-0 lead.
Florida SouthWestern managed to scratch across one run in the fifth, but the Buccaneers’ bats were largely silenced—just like they were the day before—thanks to another brilliant performance by ace Cailyn Heyl.
Heyl turned in her fifth consecutive complete game, allowing just one run on nine hits while striking out seven and walking one. The right-hander stranded nine runners—including working out of a bases-loaded jam in the third—to shut the door and seal the win.
Her dominance throughout the week earned Heyl Tournament Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher honors. She threw all five games for the Raiders in Yuma, racking up 35.0 innings, over 500 pitches, 25 strikeouts, and just seven earned runs.
Arnold was named Most Valuable Hitter, leading the Raiders with seven RBIs on the week and coming through time and again in key moments. Head Coach Andy Lee earned Coach of the Tournament honors after guiding his squad to the pinnacle of NJCAA softball.
“They believed in the journey first and led by example,” Lee said of Heyl and Arnold. “Ultimate leaders and competitors on the diamond. Words can’t express the legacy they will leave. Two of the greatest competitors I’ve ever coached.”
Bre Hughes, Sara Watson, and Karson McGowen also earned spots on the NJCAA All-Tournament Team. Hughes and Watson tied for the team lead with seven hits each, while McGowen added six of her own.
The championship triumph was the final chapter in what was already a record-shattering season. Northwest Florida won a program-record 61 games, including 38 straight during the regular season, and went a perfect 20-0 in Panhandle Conference play, capturing their third straight league title.
For Coach Lee, the national title is his first with Northwest Florida State and seventh overall, having previously won six with LSU-Eunice (NJCAA DII).
“It still feels surreal. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Lee said. “I’m so proud of these young ladies. The time, effort, and energy they poured into this team… to see it pay off with a national championship is the ultimate reward.”