Region XX DII Softball Champions!

CATONSVILLE, Md. — Emily Talbert pitched a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts and Maddy McDonough had three hits and three runs scored to lead the Hagerstown Community College softball team to a 6-1 victory over CCBC Catonsville on Saturday for the NJCAA Region XX Division II tournament title.

With the victory, the Hawks (36-9) earned their first berth in the NJCAA World Series since 2006. The national championships will be held May 22-25 in Clinton, Mississippi.

"This was the goal since August," HCC coach Jenna Knable said. "We knew we had a special group, and they worked hard every single day, did what we asked of them and we accomplished our goals. It was really exciting."

The Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI double by Talbert.

They extended it to 5-0 with a four-run fourth. McDonough and Emily Churchman hit RBI doubles, Victoria Oliver had an RBI single and Cierra Beaver drew a bases-loaded walk.

HCC added a run in the seventh on an RBI single by Churchman. The Cardinals (38-10) scored their lone run in the bottom half on an RBI double by Alexa Holderfield.

Madi Renn, Churchman and Oliver each finished with two hits.

Renn, McDonough, Talbert and Churchman were named to the all-tournament team.