College softball: OC advances to Region V-West title game

MIDLAND The Odessa College softball team won twice Saturday to advance to today's championship game of the NJCAA Region V-West Tournament at Freddie Ezell Softball Complex.

OC (40-21) will play the winner of the elimination game between Western Texas (23-33) and Midland College (38-17) at noon. Western Texas and Midland College meet at 10 a.m.

If OC loses to the Western Texas-Midland College winner, then a second championship game would be played about 2 p.m. to decide the Region V-West winner.

Odessa College is trying to earn its third trip in four years to the NJCAA Division I National Championship.

OC beat Howard 8-0 in six innings and 17th-ranked 17th-ranked Midland College beat Western Texas 4-0 in the first round.

OC scored nine runs in the first inning to beat Midland College 15-1 in five innings in the winner's bracket.

OC pitcher Maritza Rocha allowed three hits and struck out 13 to earn both victories.

Marissa Arajuo, Noelle Garcia, Noel Garcia and Amanda Baldonado all had two hits for OC against Howard. Shanna Dees hit a three-run home run.

Araujo and Dominque Salazar each hit home runs against Midland College. Latara Shockley and Alisha Carrasco each had three hits and scored three runs.

Region V-West Tournament

At Ulmer Park, Freddie Ezell Complex, Midland
Saturday's Games
Midland College 4, Western Texas 0
Odessa College 8, Howard 0, 6 innings
Western Texas 4, Howard 3, Howard eliminated
Odessa College 15, Midland College 1, 5 innings

Sunday's Games
Game 5 - Midland College vs. Western Texas, 10 a.m.
Game 6 - Championship I, Odessa College vs. Midland College-Western Texas winner, Noon.
Game 7 - Championship II, Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 2 p.m., if necessary.

Odessa College 8, Howard College 0

Saturday, First Round, At Midland
Howard College 000 000 - 0 2 2
Odessa College 110 033 - 8 10 0
Kendra Corbin and Amber Johnson. Maritza Rocha and Dominque Salazar. W - Rocha. L - Corbin. 2B - Howard: Jessica Moreno; Odessa: Noelle Garcia, Noel Garcia. HR - Odessa: Shanna Dees
Records: Howard College is 32-20; Odessa College is 39-22.

Odessa College 15, Midland College 1 (5)

Saturday, Second Round, At Midland
Odessa College 911 13 - 15 17 0
Midland College 001 00 - 1 1 1
Maritza Rocha and Dominique Salazar. Alex Reideman, Carly Britton (1) and Lindsay Robillard. W - Rocha. L - Reideman. 2B - Odessa: Melissa Araujo, Dominque Salazar, Noelle Garcia. . HR - Odessa: Dominque Salazar, Marissa Araujo.
Records: Odessa College 40-21; Midland College 38-17.