Coe News
Sat, May. 16, 2009 - [Softball]
MONTCLAIR, N.J. - For the second-straight day, the Kohawk softball team proved that you can win games with just one run. Coe advanced in the NCAA National Championship tournament with a 1-0 win over Tufts Saturday night.For the second-straight game, the Kohawk pitching staff proved it was one of the best in the nation. This time around, it was senior Sonja Schwenker (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington). The southpaw retired the first six batters she faced, having the assist on the first four and striking out the fourth.
"Schwenker's performance was outstanding. I don't think they had one ball that was hit with authority. She kept them off balance," Head Coach Bob Timmons said of Schwenker's outing.
On the first pitch of the game, senior Ashley Leonard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) bunted for a single. With one out, Leonard stole second, but was stranded there for the remainder of the inning. The Kohawks dropped to 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the tournament by the end of the inning.
The Kohawks put the only run of the game on the scoreboard in the third inning. Freshman Amanda Hanson (Riverside, Iowa/Highland) walked on five pitches to start the inning. Leonard moved Hanson to second with her second sacrifice bunt of the year. With a 1-1 count, freshman Katie King (Altoona, Iowa/SE Polk) ripped a single down the first baseline, plating Hanson from second.
Tufts threatened in the fourth inning, putting the first two runners on base with no outs. The Kohawks worked out of the jam, holding the Jumbos without a run.
Sophomore CC Williams (Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon) and junior Erica Smothers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) each added a hit, with Smothers drilling her third double of the year to the left field fence.
"We've struggled early in the year with finishing games, but as of late, we've been doing it. I felt very comfortable and confident with Sonja (Schwenker) on the mound and our defense behind her," Timmons added.
Schwenker held the Jumbos, who came in 43-1 and ranked seventh in the country, to just three hits. She struck out five and walked none.
"I just tried to pitch my game. I knew I had my teammates behind me, Schwenker said. We've had numerous tight games throughout the year and I knew I just had to buckle down on the mound."
The Kohawks improved to 40-11 on the year with the win. They became just the third team in school history to win 40 games. Coe also clinched at least third place in the national tournament, the highest in school history.
Coe will face Messiah (41-4) at 4 p.m. central time Sunday. The winner will advance to Monday, where they will play for the national title.
"Schwenker's performance was outstanding. I don't think they had one ball that was hit with authority. She kept them off balance," Head Coach Bob Timmons said of Schwenker's outing.
On the first pitch of the game, senior Ashley Leonard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) bunted for a single. With one out, Leonard stole second, but was stranded there for the remainder of the inning. The Kohawks dropped to 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the tournament by the end of the inning.
The Kohawks put the only run of the game on the scoreboard in the third inning. Freshman Amanda Hanson (Riverside, Iowa/Highland) walked on five pitches to start the inning. Leonard moved Hanson to second with her second sacrifice bunt of the year. With a 1-1 count, freshman Katie King (Altoona, Iowa/SE Polk) ripped a single down the first baseline, plating Hanson from second.
Tufts threatened in the fourth inning, putting the first two runners on base with no outs. The Kohawks worked out of the jam, holding the Jumbos without a run.
Sophomore CC Williams (Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon) and junior Erica Smothers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) each added a hit, with Smothers drilling her third double of the year to the left field fence.
"We've struggled early in the year with finishing games, but as of late, we've been doing it. I felt very comfortable and confident with Sonja (Schwenker) on the mound and our defense behind her," Timmons added.
Schwenker held the Jumbos, who came in 43-1 and ranked seventh in the country, to just three hits. She struck out five and walked none.
"I just tried to pitch my game. I knew I had my teammates behind me, Schwenker said. We've had numerous tight games throughout the year and I knew I just had to buckle down on the mound."
The Kohawks improved to 40-11 on the year with the win. They became just the third team in school history to win 40 games. Coe also clinched at least third place in the national tournament, the highest in school history.
Coe will face Messiah (41-4) at 4 p.m. central time Sunday. The winner will advance to Monday, where they will play for the national title.
