FAYETTE, Mo. – The No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan softball team picked up a run in the second inning and shut down No. 15 College of Idaho by a 1-0 score in their first game of the 2024 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. Head Coach Steve Babinski earned his 750th career win, and Alyssa Wagner claimed a program record with 88 career wins in the circle.


 

THE ESSENTIALS

 

• Location: Fayette, Mo.
• Records: IWU 41-13 I COI – 32-18
• Game Score: IWU def. College of Idaho 1-0
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #16 – COI - #15

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• IWU opened the scoring in the second inning. Head coach Steve Babinski's team started the stanza with a Kamryn Buck double to left field. Abby Harvey's infield single pushed Buck to third base. Moments later, Zoe Fountain laid down a sacrifice bunt, pushing Buck across home plate for a one-run edge.
• The Wildcats held the edge in a battle between two talented pitchers. Alyssa Wagner had the 1-0 lead and that was all she needed in the contest.
• Wagner gave up just two hits and four walks in the 104-pitch complete-game shutout. She struck out six batters in the victory. She passes 2012 alum Abbie Forman with a program record 88 career wins. 
• The Wildcats had just three hits in the game coming off the bats of Buck, Harvey and Courtney Thomas. Buck's base knock was the lone extra-base hit for the victors.
• For the game, Brylee Bilger was walked twice while Sadie Harding and Fountain drew one base on balls apiece.

NEXT TIME OUT

 

 

• The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday at 1:00PM ET when they take on either Central Methodist or Dickinson State in the winner's bracket.
• Live video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

 

• Follow Athletics (@IWUWildcats): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
• Follow Softball (@IndWesSoftball): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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