ST. LOUS—The Wartburg softball team (25-15 overall) upset No. 10 WashU (32-6) 4-3 in the opening game of the NCAA Regionals. With the win, the Knights advance in the bracket and will face #11 University of Redlands tomorrow (Friday, May 16) at 11 a.m.
Advancing video
Sixth inning
- The game was scoreless until this frame.
- Reagan Hassel hit a leadoff single
- The next two batters were retired
- Bella Mulder was awardedd first as she was hit by a pitch
- Riley Feeley tried to put a bunt down, but it popped up and fell just past the diving catcher to score Hassel and Mulder moved to third
- Feeley moved to second on a passed ball
- Addy Wells slugged a double to deep left field to score Mulder and Feeley
- The next batter was retired to end the scoring
- WashU got on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame
Seventh inning
- Ally Happ was hit by pitch to leadoff
- Sydney Fellows drove her in from first on her double to right centerfield to make it 4-1
- The next three batters were retired in order to give the Bears one more trip to the plate
- WashU leadoff hitter drew a walk, but was out on the force as the next batter hit into a fielder's choice
- The Bears used an RBI single and a sac fly to make it 4-3 with two outs and a runner on second
- The next batter flew out to right field to end the rally and seal the advancement for the Orange and Black
Top performers:
- Hassel: 2-3, 1 run
- Wells: 1-2, two-run double, 2 RBI
- Feeley: 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Hannah Luellen: CG
Notes:
- This was the first meeting in the NCAA Tournament against WashU since 2009.
- The teams also faced each other in the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Regionals.
- WashU is now 2-2 against Wartburg in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Bears own the series lead at 14-10, and split the regular season twinbill last season at the WashU Invite. The teams were scheduled to play this year, but that tournament was canceled due to cold weather.
- This was Luellen's 10th complete game of the season
- This was the 30th win in the NCAA Tournament in program history
- The Knights are now 30-25 all-time in the NCAA Tournament
- Stephanie Kiefer moved her hitting streak to five games
- Kiefer extended her reach base safely streak to eight games
- Hassel moved her reach base safely streak to six games
Next event
The Knights will face No. 11 Redlands Friday at 11 a.m.