Ravens softball heads back to NJCAA National Tournament
The San Jacinto College softball team is returning to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship for the eighth time in program history after posting a 4-1 record in the Region XIV Softball Tournament May 13-16.
San Jac entered the postseason battle-tested after a regular season that featured multiple run-rule victories and offensive outbursts, as well as key conference wins that helped position the Ravens for a strong tournament run. The team also earned statement victories over nationally competitive Region XIV opponents, including Tyler Junior College and Howard College, highlighting its ability to perform in high-pressure matchups.
“Our season did not start the way we envisioned, but this team stayed together, stayed committed and kept working,” Ravens head coach Kelly Saenz said. “They responded to every challenge with grit and determination. I could not be prouder of how they represented our program, our college and each other throughout this championship run.”
The Ravens opened tournament play Wednesday with a 7-3 victory over Bossier Parish Community College before falling 3-2 to Paris Junior College on Thursday. Facing elimination, San Jac responded with back-to-back wins Friday, defeating Navarro College 7-3 and Blinn College 7-4. The Ravens capped the tournament Saturday with a 5-0 shutout over nationally ranked Trinity Valley Community College to secure their spot in the national tournament.
“Championship seasons are not always perfect journeys, and this team proved adversity can build something special,” Saenz said. “From a difficult start to conference champions and district champions, this group showed tremendous heart, accountability, and perseverance all season long.”
San Jac will compete in the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series May 25-30 in Oxford, Alabama.
Learn more about the softball program
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
