SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan softball team overcame an early 7-0 deficit by recording a pair of seven-run innings en route to the 14-8 victory over Spring Arbor in an elimination game at the Crossroads League Tournament. IWU punches their ticket to the NAIA Softball National Championship with their appearence in the Crossroads League Tournament championship game against Marian.


 

THE ESSENTIALS

 

• Location: Spring Arbor, Mich.
• Records: IWU 39-12 I SAU – 33-20\
• Game Score: IWU def. SAU 14-8
• NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - #16 – SAU - Unranked

 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• IWU trailed 7-0 entering the bottom of the second stanza, but head coach Steve Babinski's squad quickly tied the game. Abby Harvey started the frame off with a single and moved to third when Zoe Fountain reached on a throwing error. Morgan Yeater ripped a single that plated Harvey, opening the floodgates. After a walk to Harding to load the bases, Brylee Bilger promptly blasted a grand slam to make it 7-5. Courtney Thomas singled and Kamry Buck launched a two-run round-tripper, tying the game at 7-7.   
• The Wildcats took the lead in the fourth inning. Harding doubled and Bilger walked. Thomas reached on a fielder's choice, erasing Harding at third. However, Becca Wyatt reached on an error to load the bases. Buck's base hit plated Maddie Seitz and Thomas for a 9-7 lead. Moments later, Chloe Tragesser's single pushed Wyatt across home plate. Yeater singled in Buck and Harvey for a 12-7 margin.  
• IWU continued adding to the advantage. Harding reached on an error, allowing Tragesser to race home. A passed ball allowed Yeater to scamper across the plate for a seven-run lead.
• SAU managed to score a run, but that was as close as the team would get.  
• For the game, Yeater led the way with four hits, three RBI and two runs scored. Bilger, Buck and Harding notched two hits each. Bilger and Buck drove in four runs apiece. Buck, Harvey and Thomas all crossed home twice.  
• In the circle, Alyssa Wagner went 1.1 frames. Alayna Thomas threw 4.2 innings of relief to pick up the victory. She had a pair of strikeouts. Makenna Waddell worked the seventh with a strikeout.  

NEXT TIME OUT

 

 

• The Wildcats return to action this afternoon to square off against top-ranked Marian in the championship game.  
• IWU needs to win twice against Marian to claim the tournament title.
• Live video and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

 

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