ST. JOSEPH, Minn.—Winning the regional championship with a walk-off win, the Wartburg Knights Softball (30-12) squad defeated the Bennies of Saint Benedict (30-10), 6-5.
Illg's run in the first inning saw her become the Knights All-Time Career Runs Scored leader, with 144 runs in her career.
The Bennies put three runs up on the board in the first before the Knights retired the Bennies offense.
Kaylie Springer (2-of-4) and
Sydney Illg (3-of-4) hit back-to-back singles to the shortstop, starting the Knights off strong offensively.
Lauren Frerichs (1-of-2) advanced to the bases on a defensive error by the Bennies, as Springer and Illg crossed home plate for the Knights.
The Knights retired the Bennies 1-2-3 in the second inning and would earn a hit in the second inning.
Extending their lead, the Bennies pushed runs across in third and sixth innings, taking a 5-2 lead over the Knights.
A pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch saw the Knights offense load the bases in the sixth inning.
Olivia Brecht walked for an RBI as
Hannah Happ scored. Frerichs pushed Knights with a 2 RBI single to left field as Illg and Springer tied the game at five.
Madison Hiestand struck out the first batter of the seventh inning before allowing a hit by the Bennies' offense. The Knights defense was firing, ending the Bennies at bat with a double play.
Sydney Fellows reached on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Happ. With one out on the board, Springer reached on an error for the walk-off win as Fellows crossed the plate for the Knights.
Postgame Press Conference
The Knights will compete in the Super Regionals, May 19-21. The Knights will face the Big Blue of Millikin University.
Regional History
This is the fifth time in school history that the Wartburg Knights have advanced out of the first round of regionals and the first time since the 2008 season. The Knights previously advanced in 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Game Score Line
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| CSB |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
9 |
4 |
| Wartburg |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
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