In her first season with the Oakland Community College softball team, Brandon’s Jackie Wojtkowicz was a part of some OCC milestones.
For the second straight year, the Lady Raiders competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament, which OCC women’s softball coach Steve Ogg said is considered the World Series of junior college softball.
The Lady Raiders finished with a 3-2 record at the tournament.
Wojtkowicz pitched OCC’s first game of the tournament against Hagerstown (MD) Community College, and set a new national tournament record by striking out 14 batters as OCC earned a 4-0 win.
‘No OCC team has ever qualified two years in a row,? Ogg said. ‘We really thought we were a year away (from qualifying).?
The Lady Raiders were recognized for their excellence this season by being ranked first in the state among junior college teams, as well as fifth in the nation.
Wojtkowicz picked up all three wins and both losses in the tournament for the Lady Raiders, striking out 29 batters in 24-1/3 innings while only giving up five earned runs.
For the season, she set a new school record for victories (22), ERA (1.13), appearances (46), innings (217), complete games (20), saves (4), and strikeouts in a season (256). In addition, she set a single-game OCC record for most strikeouts with 14.
Wojtkowicz said her first year at OCC was ‘a real fun year.? For his part, Ogg said he was impressed with Wojtkowicz’s maturity level on the mound.
‘She didn’t pitch like a freshman ? she pitched like a veteran at a four-year school,? Ogg said. ‘What Jackie brought to the table was really good movement. She was a pitcher, not a thrower.?
Wojtkowicz said pitching at the college level was more challenging than in high school.
‘Every hitter’s good,? she said. ‘You didn’t have to hit your spots as well (as in high school). I really have to be thinking out there.?
After her tenure with OCC is completed next season, Wojtkowicz said she would ‘definitely? like to continue playing softball at a four-year college. She said one school she is looking into is Cumberland College in Kentucky, specifically for their health management program.