CCRI Softball Advances to NJCAA Division III World Series for Second Consecutive Year

05/14/2025

Warwick, RI — The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) softball team is headed back to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series for the second consecutive season following another remarkable run in 2025.

With a 19-7 overall record, CCRI is currently ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA Division III national poll and will represent the Northeast District and Region XXI at the World Series, held May 21–24 at Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY.

The Knights are one of only eight teams nationwide to qualify for the tournament, with official seeds and bracket announcements scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 5 p.m. As the only active softball program in Region XXI, CCRI once again had to compete against teams from Regions XV and XX in the Northeast District Tournament, where they defeated Dutchess Community College in a decisive doubleheader sweep (6-1, 5-1) on May 10 to secure their bid.

“This is a real honor,” said head coach Paul Mercier. “All they’ve wanted from Day 1 was another invitation to the World Series. I’m very proud of the way we stuck together. We had some rocky roads, but we found our path to the region and district playoffs, and now we’re on our way to compete with the best programs in the country.”

This season builds on the momentum of a record-setting 2024 campaign, when CCRI won a program-best 32 games and secured its first-ever World Series win, upsetting No. 7 Herkimer in the consolation round.

Season Highlights

• National Rankings:
• 1st in home runs (14)
• 2nd in team batting average (.428)
• 1st in on-base percentage (.507)
• 4th in slugging percentage (.611)
• Pitching staff ranked 4th nationally with nine shutouts

Player Accolades:

• Zoe Battersby (West Warwick, RI): Broke CCRI’s career home run record with 17 in two seasons; hit .457 with 38 RBI and a .889 slugging percentage
• Crystyliah Covel (Easton, MA): Freshman standout hit .500 with 17 RBI and a .620 slugging percentage
• Brianna Grenier (Cumberland, RI): Hit .457 with a team-high .901 slugging percentage, 5 home runs, and 33 RBI
• Kathryn Motta (Warwick, RI): Batted .557 with 38 hits, surpassing 100 career hits
• Sophia Chevian (Warwick, RI): Led pitching staff with 7-3 record, 1.81 ERA, 3 shutouts, and 42 strikeouts (120 career Ks)
• Janina Mazzulla (Johnston, RI): Finished 6-1 with 4 shutouts and a team-high 55 strikeouts (122 career Ks)

Seven of CCRI’s regular players (20 or more games) hit over .400 this season, highlighting the team’s offensive depth and consistency.

“CCRI is officially on the national softball map,” added Mercier. “With 10 returning players from last year’s team, I’m hoping the experience will help us this time around. Our players will leave everything on the field.”

For updates on the team’s World Series journey and official bracket information, visit www.ccri.edu.

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