Bats, Bounce‑Backs, and a Walk‑Off Worth the Moment
Crowder College delivered a memorable week on the field, highlighted by a road split at Metropolitan Community College and an emotional, celebratory home sweep of St. Charles Community College. Saturday in Neosho carried extra meaning as Sophomore Day and Alumni Day, capped by the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Crowder’s NJCAA National Championship — and the Roughriders made sure the day ended in unforgettable fashion.
Here’s how the week unfolded.
April 7 – Crowder 7, Metropolitan 2 (Game 1)
Crowder opened the week with a strong all‑around performance on the road. The key offensive force was sophomore Layla Pasley, who went a perfect 4‑for‑4 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. Madelief Croonen added a two‑run homer, while Callie Cooper continued her steady production with a run and an RBI.
In the circle, Olivia Hemme was locked in, throwing a complete game while allowing just four hits and two earned runs, striking out four to pace Crowder to the opener win.
Highlight: Pasley’s power‑speed combination set the tone early.
April 11 – Metropolitan 8, Crowder 5 (Game 2)
The second game proved tougher as Metropolitan used big innings and drawn‑out at‑bats to even the series. Crowder still swung the bats well, finishing with 10 hits. Callie Cooper had a flawless day, going 3‑for‑3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Madelief Croonen drove in two and Evelyn Comstock notched three hits.
Crowder stayed within reach but couldn’t fully overcome defensive miscues and Metropolitan’s timely hitting.
Highlight: Cooper’s perfect performance at the plate led the offense.
April 11 – Crowder 10, St. Charles 5 (Game 1)
Saturday’s home doubleheader began with ceremony and energy as Crowder honored its sophomores and welcomed alumni back to Neosho while commemorating its 1986 NJCAA National Championship. The Roughriders matched the moment with a dominant start, scoring five runs in the first inning.
Carly Cook delivered a standout game, scoring four runs and going 3‑for‑4 with an RBI. Layla Pasley added two doubles and two RBIs, while Olivia Hemme drove in two more. After early pressure, Hemme settled in as the reliever, striking out nine over 4.2 innings to secure the win.
Highlight: A first‑inning surge energized the celebration.
April 11 – Crowder 9, St. Charles 8 (10 innings, Game 2)
The nightcap became the defining moment of the week — and one that fit perfectly with the day’s significance. After falling behind 8‑1 early, Crowder mounted a dramatic comeback, tying the game with a five‑run fifth inning.
In extra innings, the spotlight belonged to sophomore Layla Pasley, who launched a walk‑off home run in the 10th inning, sealing the victory in storybook fashion on Sophomore and Alumni Day. Pasley finished with three RBIs, while Croonen and Cooper delivered key contributions throughout.
In the circle, Tessa Groeneveld was elite in relief, throwing 7.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, completely halting St. Charles’ momentum and setting the stage for the walk‑off.
Highlight: Pasley’s walk‑off homer punctuated both the comeback and the celebration.
Week in Review
Crowder closed the week 3–1, combining resilience, timely offense, and clutch pitching. Sophomore Layla Pasley headlined the stretch with power, speed, and the unforgettable walk‑off blast, while Carly Cook and Callie Cooper consistently fueled the lineup. In the circle, Olivia Hemme and Tessa Groeneveld delivered when it mattered most, especially under pressure.
Between milestone celebrations and comeback wins, it was a weekend that honored Crowder’s past while showcasing a future that continues to shine.