Kats Battle Among Nation’s Best At NJCAA Division III World Series

The SUNY Erie Community College softball team made history this spring, capturing its first Region III championship since 1989 and earning a trip to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series at Carrier Park in DeWitt, New York.

Erie entered the national tournament red hot after sweeping Monroe Community College 2-0 and 6-2 in the Region 3/NJCAA North B District Championship in Williamsville. Sophomore pitcher Grace Szpylman was named Tournament MVP after allowing just three hits across 10 innings in the circle. Freshman catcher Hailey Wisser and freshman shortstop Ashlyn Pignone earned All-Tournament Team honors.

The Kats entered the World Series winners of 12 straight games and backed by one of the nation's top pitching staffs. Erie ranked second in NJCAA Division III with a 2.24 team ERA. Szpylman ranked second nationally with a 1.82 ERA while striking out 155 batters in 126.2 innings. Sophomore utility standout Amelia Potter posted a 2.31 ERA in the circle while also leading the offense with 34 RBI and batting .415.

At the plate, Pignone paced the lineup with a .482 batting average and carried a remarkable 32-game hitting streak into the national tournament. Sophomore first baseman Carly Fraser hit .413 with 10 doubles and 28 RBI, while sophomore second baseman Natalie Witt added a .378 average and 18 RBI. Wisser contributed power from behind the plate with three home runs and nine doubles.

Erie opened World Series play against North Dakota State College of Science, falling 11-4 after the Wildcats used a six-run second inning to take control. Erie scored first in the opening inning and received hits from Haley Lerner, Pignone, Witt, Lily Radich, Mikayla Gallivan, Wisser, and Fraser. Radich drove in two runs, while Potter provided solid relief work in the circle.

Facing elimination, Erie responded with one of its best offensive performances of the season in a thrilling 9-7 victory over Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester. After falling behind 3-0 early, the Kats exploded for six runs in the second inning to seize momentum. Potter and Wisser each collected three hits and two RBI, while Lerner and Pignone added multiple-hit games. Szpylman battled through six innings before Potter closed the door with a scoreless seventh inning to secure the victory.

Later that day, Erie nearly pulled off another dramatic win before falling 4-3 to Patrick & Henry Community College. Fraser drove in two runs with a single and double, while Pignone continued her torrid tournament with a 3-for-4 performance. Erie held leads twice during the contest, but Patrick & Henry answered late, including the game-winning RBI triple in the sixth inning.

The Kats wrapped up tournament play Friday with a tightly contested 3-1 loss to Corning Community College. Despite outhitting Corning 6-4, Erie could not overcome timely hitting from the Red Barons. Potter collected three hits, while Haley Wackowski drove in Erie's lone run. Szpylman turned in another strong effort in the circle, allowing just one earned run while striking out seven over seven innings.

Though the season ended shy of a national title, Erie's 2026 campaign will be remembered as one of the greatest in program history. The Kats captured their first regional championship in 37 years, earned a trip to the national stage, won a game at the World Series, and established themselves among the top NJCAA Division III softball programs in the country.