Quebec pitcher Léa Chevrier achieved quite a feat, ending her softball season with a perfect 23-0 record on the mound in the uniform of the Florida SouthWestern College Buccaneers, in the first division of the NJCAA, in the United States. You read that right: 23-0!
The accomplishment is all the more notable since Chevrier, who greatly contributed to her team’s national championship last year, had to learn a new role this season, that of starting pitcher.
“Of course I’m happy with my perfect record, but I’m especially proud of having been able to roll up my sleeves even though I had a different role on the team,” Chevrier humbly indicated. When it was announced to me before the start of the season, I ran into a wall because I was used to being used in relief. As a starter, you have different pressure. There are all your teammates who are counting on you.”
We have to admit that Chevrier, a 20-year-old athlete from Saint-Lazare, took on the challenge brilliantly. Bring on the pressure! In 133 innings on the mound, the Quebecer only gave up 31 earned runs, posting a brilliant average of 1.63. She also totaled 131 strikeouts.
“I’m not a girl who looks at statistics too much,” admits Chevrier. The important thing is to be able to help my team win matches.”
Focused on the playoffs
According to her, it was more the people around her who talked to her about her immaculate record. It wasn’t until the final day of the season, Saturday, April 27 at the Buccaneers’ home in Fort Myers, that the pitcher felt more of a deep desire to maintain her invincibility. It would have been rather stupid, she agrees, to suffer a defeat in her last start.
Softball pitcher Léa Chevrier was crowned NJCAA champion in 2023 with the Florida SouthWestern College Buccaneers.
Benoît Rioux / JdeM
For comparison, only three pitchers across the United States have enjoyed more victories than her this season at the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) level, namely Cailyn Heyl (31-0, with Northwest Florida State ), J’dah Girigorie (30-6, with Indian River State) and Jordyn Foley (24-8, with Missouri State-West Plains). Of the lot, only Heyl remained undefeated like Chevrier.
Overall, Florida SouthWestern College went 52-6, including 39-5 in the Citrus Conference to win the regular season championship. The playoffs for the State of Florida will now begin on May 8, in Clearwater, while the objective will be to qualify for the big national tournament, from May 20 to 25, in Alabama.
In the NCAA starting next year
Chevrier obviously dreams of a second national triumph in as many years with the Buccaneers. It would be a great addition to his time at Florida SouthWest.
The Quebecer has committed to moving to the university level, in the first division of the NCAA, next year. She actually received a full scholarship to play with the team at the University of Miami in Ohio.
Photo provided by Léa Chevrier
“I went for a visit a little after Christmas and fell in love with the campus,” she said.
Mentioning in passing that she is always looking for valuable sponsors to encourage her in her sporting career, Chevrier specifies that she will then study marketing and sports management.
Meanwhile, it is also her little sister Alexia, catcher on the Canadian U18 softball team, who will in turn make the jump to the United States in the NJCAA. The young Chevrier, 17 years old, will end up at Jefferson College, in the state of Missouri.
