DuBOIS, Penn. – In a magical run through the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Softball Small College World Series, the Mississippi University for Women finally ran out of rabbits to pull from its hat versus No. 2-seed Penn State University-Brandywine, 10-9, in the championship game. The No. 9-seeded Owls (26-20) far-and-away exceeded expectations by the ranking committee, but certainly not of themselves.
 
The W team quickly won the hearts of fans at Heindl Stadium during the series, thanks to its effort and never being deterred by the situations. Perhaps the most remarkable "hurdle" cleared by MUW was that of having to play eight games just to reach the title game (conversely, PSUB played four total games to win its first USCAA crown).
 
"Wow, what a ride," Owls Head Coach Buddy Foster exclaimed afterwards. "This team, their grit and their dedication to one another was impressive to watch. Those student-athletes represented The W very well and we have felt the love from Columbus. We had so many outstanding performances throughout this week. I could go on and on. We walked off that field with our heads held high."
 
Thursday's finale was typical of Foster's assessment of how the Owls had battled all week. MUW trailed 3-0 after one inning and was down 4-2 through three. A single run in the fifth and two in the sixth put The W ahead, 5-4. But the Lions roared back with four in their half of the sixth to make it 8-5 heading into the final frame.
 
In the seventh, pinch-hitter Makalyn Cowley worked a leadoff walk, after the count went full. The very next batter, Riley Phillips, crushed her third home run of the year – all in the USCAA tourney – to cut the deficit to 8-7.
 
With one out, Alysa Newman and Madison Crosby delivered back-to-back singles, before a fielder's choice ground out by Maiya Joe registered the second out of the inning. Catcher Ashton Farnell slapped an RBI single and went to second on the throw to knot the game at 8-8.
 
Caledonia High School product Maddy Suggs singled up the middle to plate Joe with the go-ahead run, 9-8. Farnell was out at the plate trying to score on Suggs' slug.
 
In their half of the seventh, the Lions took advantage of the weary Owls with a single, RBI triple and an RBI single to wrest the USCAA title from MUW's grip in walk-off fashion. Rylie Grisham had her 11th complete game in absorbing the loss.
 
Crosby finished her final collegiate game with MUW by going 3-for-4, with a double. She also scored twice.
 
Newman was also 3-for-4, with a run. Phillips' line was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Joe went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs, while driving in another.
 
With the fog of competition dissipating, Foster's post-game thoughts quickly turned to his four seniors and the legacy of the 2023 Owls team. MUW not only went to the USCAA championships for the fifth time in as many years in the modern athletics era at The W, but established the school season record for victories at 26 (26-20).

"I hate to see Jaelynn (Palmer), Maddy (Suggs), Madison (Crosby), and Macy (Nordquist) move on," Foster reflected on his seniors. "Those four have been such a big part of the building of this program. I hope they understand the legacy they are leaving."