Fisher Downs Illinois Wesleyan on Wild Throw to Advance in World Series
NCAA WORLD SERIES BRACKET
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College softball team advanced in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship on Friday afternoon as the No. 8 Cardinals scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh on an errant throw to down Illinois Wesleyan, 2-1, at the ASA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. With the triumph, Fisher improved to 43-6, while the Titans fell to 37-14. Illinois Wesleyan will face Virginia Wesleyan in an elimination bout on Saturday.
Lindsey Thayer moved to 30-5 with the win after the junior pitcher hurled seven strong innings. She allowed just one run on six hits and tallied 12 strikeouts in all.
After three scoreless innings of play, Illinois Wesleyan was set up in the top of the fourth after two straight singles put runners at first and second with just one out. The Titans tried their luck on the bases and attempted to execute a double steal, but Fisher's catcher,
Karlie Neale, delivered a rocket to
Kristina Balsano at third to get the lead runner. With two away and a runner still in scoring position, Thayer took care of the rest and struck out the final batter to keep the game scoreless.
In the home half of the inning, Fisher finally broke through after
Sarah Kubik reached on an infield error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Neale. In stepped
Genevieve Paeglow as the senior designated player smacked an RBI-single through the right side to give the Cardinals a one-run edge heading to the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Illinois Wesleyan tied the game at one run apiece courtesy of two hits. The Titans lead off the frame with a triple off the top of the left field fence before Thayer gave up a base on balls. With two on and nobody out, the Titans lifted a run-scoring double to tie the game, but that was all they would get as Ventrone came up with two big plays at shortstop to keep the game tied heading to the home half of the sixth.
Illinois Wesleyan threatened again in the seventh after putting two on with one out, but the Cardinals managed to escape the jam without yielding a run.
In the bottom of the seventh,
Emma Savas got things started after beating out an infield single to put the winning run on base. Balsano moved her into scoring position with a ground out to the pitcher.
Julia Sortisio lifted a fly ball to right field that allowed Savas to tag and move to third, however, the throw sailed wide as Savas scurried home to give Fisher the hard-fought 2-1 win.
The Cardinals will enjoy a day off on Saturday before returning to action at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Fisher's opponent will be determined on Saturday.