SALEM, VA – The Alfred University softball team travels to Salem, VA, with a chance to make history, as the Saxons will be seeking the school's first-ever, NCAA team title. AU is one of eight teams competing at the NCAA Division III College World Series, which runs Thursday, May 21, through Tuesday, May 26.
AU will take on Linfield (OR) College at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, following the tournament's opening matchup between Texas-Tyler and Kean University. If Saxons beat Linfield, they will take on the winner of the Texas-Tyler/Kean University game at 4 p.m. Friday. If Alfred loses to Linfield, AU will play the loser of the Texas-Tyler/Kean game at 11 a.m. Friday.
Other teams in the double-elimination tournament are: Two-time defending champion Tufts University, Alma College, Salisbury University and DePauw University. DePauw plays Salisbury at 4 p.m. Thursday and Tufts takes in Alma at 6:30 p.m. The winners of those games play at 6:30 p.m. Friday; the losers play at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Following are capsules of the participating teams:
Alfred University Saxons (40-5)
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Statistics
How they got here: Won the Empire 8 Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat Rowan to win the Alfred (NY) Regional; took two of three from Heidelberg to win the Tiffin (OH) Super Regional.
Key Players: Liz Thompson (.493, 58 runs, 45 RBI, 12 home runs, 21 steals);
Alison Wickwire (.373, 36 runs, 53 RBI, 16 home runs, 13-3, 3.04 ERA, 110 strikeouts);
Sophia Chiavatti (.500, 23 RBI, 26 doubles );
Nicole Maher (.342, 22 runs, 40 RBI);
Kerri Keeler ( 17-1, 1.76 ERA, 76 strikeouts)
Linfield College Wildcats (37-13)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the Northwest Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat Luther to win the Decorah (IA) Regional; swept Central in two games to win the Pella (IA) Super Regional.
Key Players: Erin Kinney (.387, 24 runs, 35 RBI); Cheyenne Fletcher (.384, 37 runs, 41 RBI, 11 HR); Danielle Duman (.336, 29 runs, 64 RBI, 19 HR); Montana McNealy (28-6, 1.40 ERA, 208 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: None.
Kean University Cougars (30-13-1)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Earned at-large bid to NCAA's; beat William Paterson to win the Union (NJ) Regional; took two of three from Wheaton to win the Union (NJ) Super Regional.
Key Players: Emily Sabo (.470, 37 runs, 18 RBI, 18 steals); Emily Bissonnette (.375, 25 runs, 34 RBI); Cayleen Rizzo (.248, 30 RBI, 12 runs, four home runs); Courtney Yard (23-8, 1.22 ERA, 228 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: Lebanon Valley (Kean, 2-0; AU, 1-0); Rowan (Kean and AU both 2-0).
University of Texas-Tyler Patriots (47-3)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the American Southwest Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat East Texas Baptist to win the Tyler (TX) Regional; swept Emory in two games to win the Tyler (TX) Super Regional.
Key Players: Vanessa Carrizales (.449, 36 runs, 52 RBI, seven home runs); Jackie Mendez (.428, 40 runs, 45 RBI); Raven Rodriguez (.404, 54 runs, 51 RBI); Kelsey Batten (27-3, 1.17 ERA, 134 strikeouts); Alaina Kissinger (17-0, 0.66 ERA, 98 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: None.
DePauw University Tigers (35-14)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the North Coast Athletic Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat Trine to win the Greencastle (IN) Regional; took two of three from Moravian to win the Greencastle (IN) Super Regional.
Key Players: Linsey Buton (.424, 37 runs, 49 RBI, 10 home runs); Elizabeth Getz (.380, 42 runs, 19 RBI, 26 steals); Aammi Bell (.363, 45 runs, 21 RBI); Kahla Nolan (19-8, 3.08 ERA, 127 strikeouts); Emma Baldwin (13-5, 2.10 ERA, 172 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: None.
Salisbury University Sea Gulls (35-6)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the Capital Athletic Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat Virginia Wesleyan to win the Salisbury (MD) Regional; swept Christopher Newport in two games to win the Salisbury (MD) Super Regional.
Key Players: ,Kim Dorsey (.450, 56 runs, 20 RBI); Paige Knussman (.444, 38 runs, 57 RBI, 10 home runs); Annah Brittingham (.424, 23 runs, 36 RBI); Rachel Johnson (26-4, 1.23 ERA, 252 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: None.
Alma College Scots (30-15)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat Simpson to win the Bloomington (IL) Regional; swept Lake Forest in two games to win the Lake Forest (IL) Super Regional.
Key Players: Lea Lusk (.385, 16 runs, 33 RBI); Marie Zill (.382, 33 runs, 13 RBI); Anna Couture (.353, 32 runs, 20 RBI); Morgan Stratton (19-7, 1.56 ERA, 188 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: Houghton (Alma, 1-0; AU, 2-0).
Tufts University Jumbos (46-0)
Roster I
Schedule/Results I
Statistics
How they got here: Won the New England Small College Athletic Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to NCAA's; beat MIT to win the Medfield (MA) Regional; swept WPI in two games to win the Medfield (MA) Super Regional.
Key Players: Michelle Cooprider (.422, 53 runs, 38 RBI); Cassie Ruscz (.462, 53 RBI, 38 runs, 10 home runs); Raven Fournier (.414, 39 RBI, 29 runs); Allyson Fournier (30-0, 0.12 ERA, 380 strikeouts).
Common Opponents with AU: Utica (Tufts, 1-0; AU, 2-0).