Virginia Wesleyan to Meet Susquehanna on Friday
MONTCLAIR, N.J. --- Virginia Wesleyan College's first victory in NCAA softballregional competition was a historic one for the Marlins' program in several ways.
Not only did Thursday's 2-0 win over Rhode Island's Roger Williams University give VWC its first regional win in four tournament appearances, but it also tied the program record for victories at 39 originally set in 1986. That win total is also the highest in any sport at the College.
The Marlins, now 39-6, will take on the winner of Wednesday's late game between seventh seeded Farmingdale State University (24-15) of New York and second seeded Susquehanna University (37-7) of Pennsylvania on Friday at 4 p.m.
Junior pitcher Mackenzie Creech (Hillsborough, N.C./Orange), the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Pitcher of the Year, was stellar in the circle, giving up only two hits while striking out seven batters. She increased her season total of strikeouts to 125.
The game was dominated by pitching and defense as only five hits were recorded overall. Three of those hits belonged to Virginia Wesleyan as sophomoreKristina Karagiorgis (Ashburn/Briar Woods) belted a double and Kelly Keys (Manassas/Osbourn Park) and Lindsey Inzana(Chesapeake/Grassfield) both recorded a single.
VWC took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when lead-off hitter Tori Higginbotham (Glen Allen/J.R. Tucker) was hit by a pitch. She stole second base, her 44th of the season, moved to third on a throwing error by the Roger Williams catcher, and scored when Karagiorgis connected for a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Marlins made it a 2-0 game in the bottom of the fourth after Karagiorgis led off with a double. Inzana's single moved her to third and she scored when rookieCourtney Bogan (Round Hill/Woodgrove) sacrificed to left field.
Meghan Maliga (Suffield, Conn./Suffield) took the pitching loss for Roger Williams (23-19). She struck out two batters. Lauren Tierney (Middleboro, Mass./Middleboro) and Tori Milano (Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester) had a single each for the Hawks.
Other winners in the double-elimination tournament were host Montclair State University, 7-3 over Staten Island (N.Y.) and DeSales (Pa.) 5-4 over Kean (N.J.).
---This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College sports information department. ---
www.vwcathletics.com