Aurora, Ill. – The Dominican University softball team played in the NACC Championship game Sunday afternoon.
Game 1 Results:
Dominican: 2
Lakeland: 5
How it Happened:
-The Muskies got on the board in the first inning, by scoring 2 runs on 4 hits.
-Lakeland added a run in the top of the third inning on 3 hits.
-The Muskies continue to roll by scoring 2 runs on 3 hits in the top of the fourth inning. This extending the Lakeland lead to 5-0.
-The score remained 5-0 in favor of the Muskies until the bottom of the 6
th inning. This is when the Stars got on the board with Freshman
Kailee Diaz Randall reaching on an error, and Junior
Donatela Sommesi crossing the plate. Senior
Geneva Pollman hit a RBI triple to right center field. This making the score 5-2.
Shining Stars:
-Senior
Geneva Pollman went 1 for 2 with an RBI triple.
-Freshman
Kailee Diaz Randall did not get a hit in the game, but scored a run and had an RBI.
-Senior
Kennedy Marvin went 1 for 2.
-Junior
Donatela Sommesi went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
-Freshman
Natalie Tatera came into relief in the circle, and only allowed 2 hits in her two and two thirds inning pitched.
Leading the Way:
Hits: Davis (2)
RBI: Diaz Randall, and Pollman (1)
3B: Pollman, and Sommesi (1)
HBP: Pollman (1)
IP: Voegtle, and Tatera (2.2)
Ks: N/A
With Dominican losing the first game of the afternoon, it all came down to a winner take all game between Lakeland and Dominican.
Game 2 Results:
Dominican: 3
Lakeland: 2
Final in 10 innings
How it Happened:
-The Muskies plated a runner in the top of the first inning by scoring a run on two hits.
-Dominican did not hesitate to answer back this game, with Junior
Emma Woodhouse hitting an RBI double to right field. Junior
Donatela Sommesi came around and scored.
-The Stars took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with Senior
Kayla Faber-Cournane hitting an RBI singling to left field. The Muskies left fielder made an error, and this scored Senior
Kennedy Marvin.
-Lakeland answered back in the top of the 4
th inning by scoring a run on a hit.
-Lakeland and Dominican would go into extra innings, and both teams threatened to score.
-In the 8
th inning the Muskies, and the Stars both got a runner on base but could not move the runner around to score.
-Faber-Cournane got Lakeland to go 3 up and 3 down in the top of the 9
th inning.
-Dominican threatened by Sophomore
Ryley Davis leading off the inning with an RBI single, and then Sommesi being intentionally walked. This put two runners on with an out for the Stars, but could not score the winning run.
-The Muskies had a lead off double to start the 10
th, but the DU defense rattled off 3 straight outs, including a diving catch by Senior
Geneva Pollman to keep the score tied at 2.
-Freshman
Kailee Diaz Randall led off the inning with a ground rule double to left centerfield. Junior
Lili Santoyo put down a bunt towards the second baseman that rolled all the way to right field. Diaz Randall came around to score from second on the bunt, and the Stars walked it off in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Shining Stars:
-Junior
Emma Woodhouse started in the circle for the Stars and was fantastic. Going 5 innings and allowed the two runs on 6 hits. Woodhouse was at the front of the DU offense by going 3 for 5 with an RBI.
-Junior
Lili Santoyo went 2 for 4 with a walk, and bringing home the game winning run for the Stars.
-Senior
Kayla Faber-Cournane came in relief for Dominican throwing 5 scoreless innings, and earning the win. While collecting 2 strikeouts.
-Senior
Kennedy Marvin went 2 for 3 with a run scored.
-Junior
Donatela Sommesi went 1 for 2 with 2 walks, and a run scored.
-Freshman
Kailee Diaz Randall went 1 for 5 and scored the game winning run.
Leading the Way:
Hits: Woodhouse (3)
RBI: Woodhouse, and Santoyo (1)
2B: Sommesi, Woodhouse, Diaz Randall, and Santoyo (1)
IP: Faber-Cournane, and Woodhouse (5)
Ks: Faber-Cournane (2)
What's Next:
With this win the Dominican University softball team has clinched their first ever automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Stars will find out their opponent tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. during the NCAA tournament selection show.
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