Illinois Wesleyan

GAME #14 - LINFIELD 6, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 2
The defending NCAA Division III national champion Linfield Wildcats will return to the final round of the 2012 tournament after a 6-2 victory over Illinois Wesleyan to win the Bloomington, Ill., Regional on Sunday (May 13).
The Wildcats improved to 42-5 and will play next on Friday (May 18) at 11 a.m. against the winner of Monday’s game between Ohio Northern and Trine in the Alma, Mich., regional.
After the Titans left the bases loaded in the first inning without scoring, Linfield scored two in the top of the second on just one hit.
First baseman Staci Doucette walked and was pinch run for by Kate Hasty. Third baseman Karleigh Prestianni then tripled off the right field fence to score Hasty. Junior lefthander Alyssa Vorel then relieved starter Molly McCready for Illinois Wesleyan. Kristin Herren pinch ran for Prestianni. After Vorel got Ashley Garcia to pop up to the first baseman, Katy Brosig walked and was run for by Megan Wallo. Herren came home on an unsuccessful steal attempt by Brosig, who was caught in a rundown.
Doucette hammered a ball deep over the leftfield fence to stake the Wildcats to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth.
With one out in the fifth, leftfielder Grace Middelstadt walked and centerfielder Jaydee Baxter was hit by a pitch. Catcher Emilee Lepp hit a towering homer to deep centerfield that plated three runs to give Linfield a 6-0 lead.
IWU’s lone runs came in the seventh when junior centerfielder Keri Leach homered for the second time on Sunday with Audra James on base.
Karina Paavola was the winning pitcher as she went 6 1/3 innings in relief of starter Lauran Harvey. Paavola struck out eight and allowed five hits with two runs.
The losing hurler was sophomore Molly McCready (18-5), who lasted an inning and allowed two runs on a hit and a walk. Junior Alyssa Vorel pitched the remaining six frames and allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks.


GAME #13 - ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 2, CARTHAGE 1
Illinois Wesleyan junior centerfielder Keri Leach slugged a two-run homer in the first inning and sophomore lefthander Molly McCready pitched a four-hitter as the Titans downed Carthage, 2-1, to advance in the NCAA Division III Bloomington, Ill., Softball regional.
The Titans are 39-7 and will play Linfield (41-5) in a game at 2 p.m. at IWU Field. Carthage’s season ended with a record of 37-10.
IWU scored their only runs in the first as junior shortstop Courtney Martin led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on a ground out by freshman leftfielder Audra James. Leach then delivered a two-run home run over the centerfield fence.
The Lady Reds got a run back in the bottom of the first when leftfielder Katie Morman led off by being hit by a pitch. She went to second on a sacrifice bunt by centerfielder Jen Precht. Third baseman Vicki Pyan walked to get runners on first and second and, after a strikeout, shortstop Abby Hanson singled through the left side to score Morman.
McCready (18-4), who broke the school’s single season strikeout record earlier in the game, worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth.
McCready struck out seven and now has 203 strikeouts this season, topping the old school mark of 198 by Christy Engel in 2009.
Carthage’s Krystina Leazer (28-7) was the losing pitcher as she struck out six and walked only one in tossing a four-hitter.


GAME #12 – CARTHAGE COLLEGE 6, ANDERSON UNIVERSITY (Ind.) 1
Bloomington, Ill. – The Carthage College softball team defeated Anderson University (Ind.) on Saturday, as the Lady Reds remain alive at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. Carthage scored six runs, on eight hits, with two errors. Anderson scored one run, on seven hits, committing two errors.
Carthage improves to 37-9 on the year and will face fellow College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) squad Illinois Wesleyan (38-7) in an elimination game on Saturday at noon. Anderson ends its 2012 season with a 32-12 overall record.
Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (28-6) earned the win, as she tossed a complete game in seven innings. Leazer allowed one run, on seven hits, with five strikeouts and two walks. Olivia Scott was 3-for-3 at the plate for the Lady Reds, with a run scored and a RBI. Infielder Bryanna Heckel was 2-for-3 with a RBI.
Anderson starting pitcher Devin Moorman (10-6) took the loss in 2-2/3 innings. Moorman allowed five runs, all five runs were unearned, with six hits. Moorman struck out one batter and walked one. Lauren Smith pitched 4-1/3 innings of relief, allowing one run, on two hits, with two strikeouts and one walk. Yardley Collett led the Ravens at the plate, going 2-for-2. Amy Wuestefeld was 2-for-3.
Carthage broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the top of the third inning. A two-run double by Abby Hanson highlighted the third. Vicki Pyan hit a RBI-double to centerfield and Heckel added a RBI-single in the Lady Reds’ big inning.
Anderson scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Megan Ream hit a leadoff double in the fourth and scored three at-bats later on a single by Smith. Carthage added a run in the top of the fifth inning as Pyan drew a leadoff walk and scored on a single through the middle of the infield by Olivia Scott to account for the final outcome of 6-1.


GAME #11 – LINFIELD 3, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 0
Bloomington, Ill. – The defending National Champion Linfield Wildcats recorded a 3-0 victory against the host Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday afternoon at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The victorious Wildcats scored three runs, on two hits and Illinois Wesleyan was scoreless, on four hits. Neither team committed an error in the game.
Linfield scored all three of its runs in the decisive third inning. A pair of walks setup a three-run home run over the fence in right centerfield by Wildcat catcher Emilee Lepp. Linfield would only get one other hit in the game, a single by centerfielder Jaydee Baxter in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Lepp’s home run was all the defending National Champions would need.
Linfield improves to 41-5 and will return to action at 2 PM on Sunday. With its 3-0 record at the Regional, Linfield is one victory away from returning to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship, which will begin May 18 in Salem, VIrginia.
The Titans fall to 38-7 on the year, with their first loss in the regional. Today’s decision snapped a seven-game winning streak for Illinois Wesleyan and was only the second time this year the Titans have been shut out. The first IWU shutout was a 1-0 loss to University of Chicago on April 1. The Titans will return to action on Sunday at noon when the host school will face either Anderson University (Ind.) or Carthage College.
Linfield pitcher Lauren Harvey (18-2) earned the victory for the Wildcats. Harvey tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, with three strikeouts and one walk. Karina Paavola earned the save as she worked three innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit, with five strikeouts and one walk.
Illinois Wesleyan starting pitcher Molly McCready (17-4) took the loss in six innings. She allowed three runs, on just two hits, with seven strikeouts and seven walks. McCready moved to within two strikeouts of tying Illinois Wesleyan’s single-season record for strikeouts. She now has 196 strikeouts on the 2012 campaign, just two shy of the top Titan mark of 198 set by Christy Engel in 2009.


GAME #10 – ANDERSON UNIVERSITY (Ind.) 1, ST. NORBERT COLLEGE 0
Bloomington, Ill. – Anderson University (Ind.) survived a no-hitter by St. Norbert College’s Shannen Schmidt, as the Ravens defeated the Green Knights 1-0 on Saturday in an elimination game at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The Ravens scored one run, on no hits, committing two errors. St. Norbert was scoreless, on seven hits, with one costly error.
Anderson improves to 32-11 and will face Carthage College later today at 4 PM in an elimination game. The Lady Reds advanced to that game earlier on Saturday with a 4-1 victory against UW-Eau Claire. Today’s 4 PM game will be a rematch, as Anderson defeated Carthage 9-1 on Thursday in the opening day of action at the regional. St. Norbert ends its season with an 18-20 overall record.
Schmidt (11-11) held the Ravens hitless in a complete game of seven innings. She allowed one unearned run, walked two batters and struck out two.
The lone run of the game came in the top of the second inning as Anderson junior Lauren Smith drew a leadoff walk. She advanced to second base on a sacrifice by teammate Stephanie Atkins on the next at-bat, however Atkins also reached first on the fielder’s choice. A St Norbert error allowed each runner to advance a base. Smith was thrown out on an attempt to steal home, but Atkins advanced to third base with just one out. Atkins scored on a sacrifice flyout to centerfield by teammate Megan Ream, for the only run of the game and the only blemish against the Green Knights’ pitcher.
Anderson starting pitcher Monica Crowe improves to 20-2 on the season, working 5-1/3 innings in the circle. Crowe held SNC scoreless, on seven hits, with two strikeouts and four walks. Smith came in to work 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief. She held St. Norbert hitless, with no walks and one strikeout to close the door and give Anderson the win.
St. Norbert shortstop Steph Brunette was 2-for-4 for the Green Knights. Samantha Gross was 2-for-4 as she and Brunette accounted for four of St. Norbert’s seven hits in the game.


GAME #9 – CARTHAGE 4, UW-EAU CLAIRE 1
Bloomington, Ill. – Carthage College stayed alive in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament on Saturday with a 4-1 victory against UW-Eau Claire at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional. Carthage scored four runs, on eight hits, with one error and the Blugolds tallied one run, on four hits, committing one error.
Carthage improves to 36-9 by winning its second elimination game of the tournament. The Lady Reds advance to play their third elimination game of the tournament, facing either St. Norbert College or Anderson University (Ind.) on Saturday afternoon at 4 PM. UW-Eau Claire ends the season with a record of 33-14.
Carthage starting pitcher Krystina Leazer (27-6) earned the victory in seven innings of work. Leazer held the Blugolds scoreless, scattering five hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks. Carthage catcher Alyse Mikolas was 2-for-2 at the plate, with a RBI. Rightfielder Corinne Sheley went 2-for-3 in the game, with a stolen base, a run scored and a RBI.
Pitcher Ashley Meinen tossed 2-1/3 innings for UW-Eau Claire, as she allowed four runs, on five hits. Emma Wishau worked 4-2/3 innings of scoreless relief, on three hits, with three strikeouts and two walks. Five different players scattered singles for the Blugolds to account for their five hits.
Carthage took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning on a RBI-single by Sheley, who scored on the next at-bat when Mikolas hit a RBI-double down the leftfield line. The Lady Reds increased their lead to 4-0 in the top of the third inning on a two-run home run by Alyssa Schrader.
UW-Eau Claire started a rally in the in the bottom of the fourth inning as Sarah Fern hit a RBI-single to drive in one run. The Blugolds loaded the bases with two outs, however, Leazer tossed a strikeout to get out of the jam and stall the rally at just one run.


GAME #8 - LINFIELD 8, ANDERSON 0
Bloomington, Ill. - Linfield College shut out Anderson University (Ind.) 8-0 in five innings on Friday at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. Linfield scored eight runs, on 12 hits, with two errors and the Ravens were held scoreless, on three hits, with one error.
Linfield improves to 40-5 and advances to play the regional's other undefeated squad in tournament play, Illinois Wesleyan (38-6) at 2 PM on Saturday. Anderson falls to 31-11 and will face St. Norbert College (18-19) in an elimination game at noon on Saturday.
Linfield starting pitcher Karina Paavola (21-2) earned the win in five scoreless innings. Paavola held the Ravens to three hits, with eight strikeouts and no walks. Infielder Karleigh Prestianni went 2-for-3, with four RBI and two runs scored. Rightfielder Jordan Mixsell was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Katy Brosig, Staci Doucette and Grace Middelstadt each collected two hits for Linfield.
Anderson starting pitcher Devin Moorman (10-5) took the loss in one third of an inning. Moorman allowed five runs, on five hits, with one strikeout. Lauren Smith tossed 4-2/3 innings of relief, as she allowed three runs, on seven hits, with three strikeouts.
Linfield put together six runs in the top of the first inning to jump out to an early lead. Prestianni and Mixsell each hit two-run singles in the inning. Doucette and Brosig drove in a run each for Linfield. The defending National Champions added two more runs in the top of the second inning, as Prestianni hit a two-run home run to left centerfield.


GAME #7 - ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 2, UW-EAU CLAIRE 1
Bloomington, Ill. - The top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan Titans defeated UW-Eau Claire, 2-1 on Friday in the second day of play at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The Titans scored two runs, on seven hits, with no errors and UW-Eau Claire scored one run, on four hits, committing two errors.
Illinois Wesleyan remains undefeated in the tournament and improves to 38-6 on the season. The Titans advance in the regional and will next play at 2 PM on Saturday. The Blugolds fall to 33-13 and will face Carthage College (35-9) in an elimination game at 10 AM on Saturday.
Titan starting pitcher Molly McCready (18-3) earned the win in seven innings as she allowed one run, on four hits. McCready struck out six UWEC batters and walked three. Titan rightfielder Stephanie Polich was 2-for-2 at the plate and scored the game-winning run. Courtney Martin was 2-for-4, with a RBI.
Starting pitcher Emma Wishau (15-7) took the loss in six innings of work for UW-Eau Claire. Wishau allowed two runs, including one earned run, on seven hits, with five strikeouts and four walks. Amanda Fischer hit a solo home run for the Blugolds', as she went 1-for-3 at the plate.
Illinois Wesleyan took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Martin hit a RBI-single that brought home Katie Bruins. The Blugolds tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning when Fischer belted a solo home run.
The Titans scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Polich hit a leadoff single and scored three batters later on a fielder's choice that was hit by Keri Leach.


GAME #6 - CARTHAGE 1, BENEDICTINE 0
Bloomington, Ill. - Carthage College defeated Benedictine University 1-0 on Friday in an elimination game at the Bloomington Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. Carthage scored one run, on four hits, with no errors. The Eagles had no runs, with five hits, committing one error.
Carthage improves to 35-9 with the win in today's elimination game and will next play on Saturday morning at 10 AM. Benedictine ends its season with a record of 33-11.
Carthage starting pitcher Krystina Leazer (26-6) earned the victory in seven innings of action. Leazer held the Eagles scoreless on five hits, with nine strikeouts and one walk. Rightfielder Corinne Sheley was 2-for-3, with the Lady Reds' game-winning RBI.
Brittany Adcox (24-4) took the loss in a complete game for Benedictine. Adcox allowed just one unearned run, on four hits, with six strikeouts and zero walks. Shortstop Brittany Wolski had a pair of hits for the Eagles.
Carthage scored the game's lone run in the top of the second inning as Olivia Scott reached base on a Benedictine error with two outs. Carthage took advantage on the next two at bats as Bryanna Heckel hit a double that sent Scott to second base. Scott scored the game-winning run from second base when Sheley hit a single through the middle of the infield that would decide the tightly contested game.


GAME #5 - ST. NORBERT 7, FONTBONNE 0
Bloomington, Ill. - St. Norbert College stayed alive in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament with a 7-0 victory against Fontbonne University on Friday at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional. St. Norbert scored seven runs, on nine hits, with no errors and the Griffins were scoreless, on four hits, committing no errors.
St. Norbert College improves to 18-19 with the win in today's elimination game and advances to play on Saturday afternoon at noon. Fontbonne ends the season with a record of 27-12.
St. Norbert starting pitcher Shannen Schmidt (11-10) earned the victory in seven innings of work in the circle. Schmidt held Fontbonne scoreless, scattering four hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks. SNC leftfieder Jessica DeMeuse was 3-for-3 at the plate, with a RBI. Centerfielder Morgan Buboltz was 2-for-3, with two runs scored and two driven in. Brittany Narges went 2-for-4, with two runs scored and two RBI.
Kourtney VonBehren (14-5) took the loss in seven innings for Fontbonne. VonBehren allowed seven earned runs, on nine hits, with 10 strikeouts and five walks. Cassandra Glixman and Danielle Glixman each went 2-for-3 to account for Fontbonne's four hits in the game.
St. Norbert took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning as Buboltz hit a home run to right centerfield. Samantha Gross hit a RBI-single in the top of the third inning to increase the SNC lead to 2-0.
The Green Knights increased their lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth inning, with a three-run inning that was highlighted by a two-run home run for Narges. St. Norbert accounted for its 7-0 victory with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning as DeMeuse and Buboltz each hit RBI-singles.


GAME #4 - LINFIELD COLLEGE 3, BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY (Ill.) 0
Bloomington, Ill. - Linfield College began defense of its NCAA Division III Softball Championship on Friday with a 3-0 victory against Benedictine University (Ill.) on Thursday in the opening day of action at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. Linfield scored three runs, on five hits, with one error and the Eagles went scoreless, on five hits, with two errors.
Linfield improves to 39-5 and advances to play Anderson University (Ind.) at 4 PM on Friday. Benedictine falls to 33-10 and will face Carthage College in an elimination game at noon on Friday.
Linfield starting pitcher Lauren Harvey (17-2) earned the win in seven scoreless innings. Harvey held the Eagles to five hits, with five strikeouts and no walks. Staci Doucette hit a double to drive in a pair of. Four other Linfield batters each hit a single for the defending champions.
Linfield scored all three of its runs bottom of the third inning. Catcher Emilee Lepp hit a RBI single to leftfield in the inning and Doucette drove in two more runs with her doubles to leftfield.
Benedictine starting pitcher Brittany Adcox (24-4) took the loss in seven innings of work. Adcox was charged with three runs, on five hits, with three strikeouts and two walks allowed. Jess Fijolek hit two of the Eagles five hits in the game, as she went 2-for-3 at the plate.


GAME #3 - ANDERSON 9, CARTHAGE 1
Bloomington, Ill. - Anderson University defeated Carthage College, 9-1 on Thursday in the opening day of action at the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The victorious Ravens scored nine runs, on 13 hits, with three errors and the Lady Reds scored one run, on four hits, with one error.
Anderson improves to 31-10 and advances to play at 4 PM on Friday. Carthage falls to 34-9 and will play an elimination game at noon on Friday.
Anderson starting pitcher Monica Crowe (19-2) earned the win in five scoreless innings. Crowe held the Lady Reds to two hits, with four strikeouts and two walks. Devin Moorman worked two innings of relief, allowing one run, on two hits, with one strikeout and three walks.
Amy Wuestefeld and Samantha Steele each collected three hits in four at-bats, and scored a run for the Ravens. Leftfielder Megan Ream hit two home runs, to drive in five runs in the game. Anderson shortstop Natalie Moorhouse was 2-for-3, with three RBI and two runs scored. Catcher Stephanie Atkins was 2-for-4, with a pair of runs.
Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (25-6) took the loss in five innings of work. Leazer allowed five runs, including four earned runs, on nine hits, with four strikeouts. Alyssa Schrader tossed two innings of relief as she allowed four runs, on five hits, with one walk and one strikeout. Vicki Pyan hit a solo home run to score Carthage's lone run of the game.
Anderson gained a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, thanks to a two-run home run to left centerfield by Ream. The Ravens extended their lead to 5-0 with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Moorhouse drove in a pair of runs in the inning with a two-run double and she scored on a RBI-single Atkins.
Pyan hit a solo home run over the fence in left centerfield to account for the Lady Reds' run in the game. Anderson plated four runs in the top of the seventh inning to account for the final score of 9-1. Ream drove in three of the Ravens' seventh inning runs with her second home run of the game. Moorhouse led off the inning with a solo home run to leftfield.


GAME #2 – WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE 6, FONTBONNE 1
Bloomington, Ill. – Wisconsin-Eau Claire opened its participation in the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament with a 6-1 victory against Fontbonne University. The Blugolds scored six runs, on seven hits, with three errors and Fontbonne scored one run, on five hits, with one error.
UW-Eau Claire improves to 33-12 and advances to play Illinois Wesleyan (37-6) at 2 PM on Friday. Fontbonne falls to 27-11 and will play St. Norbert College (17-19) in an elimination game at 10 AM on Friday.
UW-Eau Claire starting pitcher Emma Wishau (15-6) picked up the victory in seven innings as she allowed one run, on five hits. Wishau struck out nine batters with no walks allowed. Catcher Nikki Bromelkamp was 1-for-2 at the plate for the Blugolds, with a pair of runs scored and a RBI on a home run. Taylor Pierce also went 1-for-2, scoring twice.
Fontbonne pitcher Rachel McCarthy (13-7) took the loss in six innings of work. McCarthy allowed six runs runs, five of them earned, on seven hits, with four walks and two strikeouts. Danielle Glixman was 1-for-3, scoring the Griffins’ lone run. Catcher Samantha Rosner was 1-for-3, driving in one run.
UW-Eau Claire took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Bromelkamp. The Griffins scored their lone run in the top of the second inning as Danielle Glixman hit a leadoff double and later scored on a RBI-single by Rosner.
The Blugolds added three runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead to 6-1. UW-Eau Claire had RBI-singles by Sarah Fern and Jess Freagon in the inning to increase the advantage.
 

GAME #1 – ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 4, ST. NORBERT 1
Bloomington, Ill. – The top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan Titans opened Thursday’s play in the Bloomington, Illinois Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament with a 4-1 victory against St. Norbert College. The Titans scored four runs, on seven hits, with no errors and St. Norbert scored one run, on six hits, with three errors.
Illinois Wesleyan improves to 37-6 and advances to play at 2 PM on Friday. St. Norbert is now 17-19 and will play in an elimination game at 10 AM on Friday.
Titan starting pitcher Alyssa Vorel (13-2) earned the win in seven innings as she allowed one unearned run, on seven hits. Vorel struck out nine SNC batters and walked two. Allie Riordan was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Titans. Courtney Martin was 2-for-4, with a pair of runs. Audra James was 2-for-4 and Stephanie Polich was 1-for-3 for the hosts, with a run scored and a RBI.
St. Norbert pitcher Shannen Schmidt (10-10) took the loss in six innings. Schmidt allowed four runs, one of which was earned, on seven hits, with four walks and two strikeouts. Shortstop Steph Brunette was 3-for-4 for SNC. Abby Gildernick was 2-for-3, driving in St. Norbert’s lone run.
St. Norbert took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as a RBI-single by Gildernick gave the visitors an early lead. The Titans tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning as Polich drove in a run on a bunt single.
Illinois Wesleyan took its first lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Riordan reached on a SNC error, allowing Martin to score the go-ahead run. The Titans added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as St. Norbert error on a single by Martin allowed Martin and Polich to score, extending the IWU lead to the final score of 4-1.