Softball team sweeps KCAC Postseason Tournament
Sarah Hawbaker
Lindsborg News Record
It was a clean sweep for the softball Swedes as they went 4-0 in the KCAC Postseason Tournament to capture the tournament title and a bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Alabama. The Swedes now are 44-7 overall, having gone 17-1 in conference play during the regular season. Bethany softball now has won 20 games in a row.
During the tournament, held May 2-3, it was the sixth inning that was Bethany's saving grace. "If we didn't have a sixth inning we probably wouldn't have made it to Alabama," Esses said.
In the Swedes four tournament wins 12 of their 17 runs were scored during the games' sixth inning, with all 12 being scored with two outs.
In game one versus Sterling College, the Swedes came back after a 1-2 deficit. The Swedes scored five runs in the sixth inning to avoid the upset.
Hollind Englert started the game while Allison Ruicker closed.
"I was proud that we didn't hang our heads when we were down but instead kept batting at the plate and eventually we found holes in that sixth inning," Esses said.
Felker was two for four with two RBI's and one run scored. Krista Copus was one for three with two RBI's and one run scored.
The Swedes went on to shut out Kansas Wesleyan University 3-0 in game two.
Pitcher Jenny Garcia came out strong and shut down the Coyotes. She had six strikeouts.
The Swedes scored one run early before adding two more in the sixth inning.
Jensen Wolff was three for three with one RBI. Samantha McFall and Emily Causey had the other two RBI's for Bethany.
Esses said her team's goal was to leave day one with two wins. And just like the previous two years, that's just what her team did. The difference came in day two.
The Swedes were able to capture a 3-0 victory over Friends University in game three to get over the day two hump and into the championship game.
Garcia again was in the circle for Bethany, allowing four hits and striking out five.
Jamie Franco was two for three with two RBI's and two runs scored. Causey hit in the other RBI for Bethany.
The Swedes again scored one run early in the game, tacking on the remaining two in the sixth inning on a two-run homerun by Franco with two outs.
"I was really excited we were able to get through the winner's bracket and make it to the championship game," Esses said.
The Swedes again faced Friends University in the championship game. And since Bethany was undefeated, the Falcons would have to defeat the Swedes twice to capture the title.
Bethany came out hitting the ball well and scored two runs early in the game. Friends took the lead in the fourth off of pitcher Hollind Englert. Esses brought in Garcia to finish the game.
Again as the sixth inning rolled around and Bethany was down 1-3 with two outs. Pinch hitter Lindsey offered up a base hit to score one run followed by a shot to left field by Copus that scored two more runs to give Bethany the 5-3 lead.
"It was incredible the way we were able to come back when faced with adversity," Esses said. "The players never gave up and believed in each other. I couldn't have been happier for a team because they deserve this opportunity to go to Alabama," Esses added.
Head Coach Janice Esses said she is excited to for the chance to represent the KCAC and Bethany College at the national level.
The Swedes will travel to Gulf Shore, Ala., for the 32nd Annual Softball National Championships May 17-23 at Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Esses said her team's goal is to win their pool so they can advance to bracket play.
"I think we are up to the challenge because we have proved to ourselves that we can compete with the top 25 opponents during the season," Esses said.