Coe News
Fri, May 1, 2009 - [Softball]
PELLA, Iowa - For the third time in the four year history of the Iowa Conference Softball Tournament, the Coe Kohawks will be playing in the championship game. Coe used a 3-1 win over Luther to advance to Saturday's finals.After a one-hit first inning for the Norse, the Kohawks scored the game's first run in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Ashley Leonard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) reached on a bunt single to lead the inning off. After stealing second, Leonard moved to third as freshman Katie King (Altoona, Iowa/SE Polk) grounded out to third base. Leonard then scored on a fielders choice by junior Chelsea Zaugg (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier).
Luther left two runners on base to end the second inning and the Kohawks took advantage by scoring another run in the bottom of the second. With two outs, senior Megan Jack (Independence, Iowa/Independence) walked. An RBI single by Leonard to left field drove in Jack, putting the Kohawks ahead 2-0.
Coe extended its lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning. Junior Erica Smothers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) doubled to right field to start the inning. A single to left center by Zaugg plated Smothers.
The Norse threatened in the sixth inning, scoring one run on two hits, along with a Kohawk error, but weren't able to capitalize on the error. Luther left two runners on base, both in scoring position, to end the inning.
Leonard, the all-time career hits leader at Coe, accounted for two of the Kohawks four hits. She also scored one of the three runs, adding to her single-season record of 55 this season. Freshman Ashlee Simon (RIverside, Iowa/Highland) improved to 19-4 on the year with the win. Simon struck out four batters in 5.1 innings in the circle. Senior Sonja Schwenker (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington) earned her third save of the season, striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.
The Kohawks will play in the championship game against Luther, Central or Wartburg. Wartburg and Central played in an elimination game at 4 p.m. on Friday, while the winner advances to a noon game on Saturday against Luther. The winner of Saturday's noon game will play Coe at 2 p.m. in Pella for the IIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
Luther left two runners on base to end the second inning and the Kohawks took advantage by scoring another run in the bottom of the second. With two outs, senior Megan Jack (Independence, Iowa/Independence) walked. An RBI single by Leonard to left field drove in Jack, putting the Kohawks ahead 2-0.
Coe extended its lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning. Junior Erica Smothers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) doubled to right field to start the inning. A single to left center by Zaugg plated Smothers.
The Norse threatened in the sixth inning, scoring one run on two hits, along with a Kohawk error, but weren't able to capitalize on the error. Luther left two runners on base, both in scoring position, to end the inning.
Leonard, the all-time career hits leader at Coe, accounted for two of the Kohawks four hits. She also scored one of the three runs, adding to her single-season record of 55 this season. Freshman Ashlee Simon (RIverside, Iowa/Highland) improved to 19-4 on the year with the win. Simon struck out four batters in 5.1 innings in the circle. Senior Sonja Schwenker (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington) earned her third save of the season, striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.
The Kohawks will play in the championship game against Luther, Central or Wartburg. Wartburg and Central played in an elimination game at 4 p.m. on Friday, while the winner advances to a noon game on Saturday against Luther. The winner of Saturday's noon game will play Coe at 2 p.m. in Pella for the IIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
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