NCAA Division III Softball Finals Website

NCAA D-III Softball Page

TYLER, Texas – The 2019 NCAA Division III Softball Championship run for the Illinois Wesleyan Titans came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday, May 25, at Suddenlink Field in Tyler, Texas.
 
The Titans' season ends with a 39-10 mark while the Warriors, the No. 8-seed in the final eight teams, advance to the national semifinals with a 36-12 record to meet Emory University.
 
Postgame Interview

"It was a great performance by our team today, we just couldn't find a way to score a run," said IWU head coach Tiffany Prager, whose three-year record is 116-39-1. "This entire team is amazing and it's hard to say goodbye. In the last four national championships, our seniors Julie Josten and Jillian Runyon have finished seventh, tied for fifth, second and tied for fifth. They have so much to be proud of with Illinois Wesleyan."

The lone Warrior run came in the sixth inning. Megan Hodgdon led off with single and was pinch-run for by Katelyn Miller, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a single by Alexis Tyrrell. Sara Pisanelli laid down a bunt to the first base side that was able to score Miller.
 
The Titans, who left seven on base, managed only four hits, all singles coming from junior shortstop Sam Berghoff, junior leftfielder Brittany Murphy, freshman catcher Hayley Earl and senior third baseman Josten.
 
Junior starting pitcher Brea Walker (15-5) allowed six hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Only four other Titan teams have reached the 39 win plateau with 39 wins in 2001 (39-14) and 2012 (39-8). The 2018 team was 40-14 and the 2014 team set the school mark for wins with a 41-7 mark. Illinois Wesleyan now has a 53-40 record in 18 NCAA Division III appearances. Go here to see complete list of postseason tournament scores.