SARASOTA, Fla. – New College Softball celebrates Senior Jayleigh Totten in final games of 2023-24 season.

The Mighty Banyan softball team celebrated senior pitcher Jayleigh Totten before today's double header against the University of Fort Lauderdale.

"Jayleigh has been an incredible leader for us", said Banyan head coach Aly Bermudez. "She brings us so much laughter, and has been a huge part of our successes this year. I am so proud of everything you are, and I know that there is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it."
The Banyans also took a moment pregame in support of Banyan head coach Aly Bermudez, who is currently fighting cancer.

"We know that Aly would do anything to be here in this moment." Said New College Assistant Athletic Director Kyle Mcvey. "So, we wanted to make sure we honored Aly for the perseverance and heart she displayed all year long, we are blessed to have her on our team at New College."

Jayleigh Totten opened the game on the mound and was stellar through 6.2 innings of action. Totten held a no-hitter into the final out, with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks. Some final out struggles led to an eventual Banyan loss, but Totten's performance kept New College in the lead for all most the entirety of the game.

The Banyan offense got the scoring started in the fourth inning. Ella Krascewski got the inning started, lacing a single to left field to advance Tiffany Lepic to second base. Jayleigh Totten drove in the games first run in the next at bat, singling past the second basemen to bring home Lepic to give New College a 1-0 lead.

Cheyenne Waddel added another run to extend the lead, recording the third single of the inning to score Krascewski from third.

The Banyans added on to their lead in the fifth. The New College scored three runs in the inning. Ella Krascewski drove in all three runs on a big double to deep center field, scoring Madi Dutton, Tiffany Lepic, and Ke'Asia Waters.

The New College defense struggled in the final inning. New College gave up 6 runs in the seventh, losing their lead once 5 run lead and being forced to come up to bat again in the bottom of the inning. The New College bats failed to capitalize, ultimately falling in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss.

Out of the many bright spots for the Banyans on the day, none shone brighter the Jayleigh Totten.

"As her pitching coach I am proud." Said coach Bermudez. "Jayleigh has more passion and more fight than any player I have ever coached. She has been an incredible leader, and I am so proud to have seen her reach her full potential as a pitcher."
The Banyans now look to build on their success in year one as they prepare for their first season in the NAIA's Sun Conference.