SJC Sweeps NKU at Super Regionals, Advances to World Series
SJC Staff Report
BOX SCORE | NKU RECAP
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ken. – Brittnie Boerema (Manhattan, Ill., Lincoln-Way Central) went two for three with two doubles and three RBIs to help the Saint Joseph’s College softball team to a 5-3 victory over Northern Kentucky University at the NCAA Midwest Super Regional. The victory clinches the best of three series as SJC make its first ever appearance in the College World Series.
After a 2-1 victory yesterday the Pumas (39-19) put-up zeros on the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field scoreboard through the first two innings. The Norse (38-21) loaded the bases in the top of the third chasing Megan Ramey (Yorktown, Ind., Yorktown) from the game. NKU scored three times before Natalie Papi hit a liner to Amy Varner (Mount Prospect, Ill., Prospect) who speared the ball and stepped on second base to end the inning.
As it was in the first game, the second time through the order allowed SJC to take a firm grip on the momentum. Stephanie Winter (Indianapolis, IN, Southport) led-off the inning with a walk as Shawn Hoskins (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) followed with a single up the middle. Boerema then ripped a double into left-centerfield that scored a pair, pulling the Pumas to 3-2. Kristin Paris (Plainfield, Ind., Plainfield) moved Boerema to third with a sacrifice bunt which allowed Audra Rains (Richmond, Ind., Northeastern)to tie the game with sacrifice fly into leftfield.
Sarah Franklin (Greenwood, Ind., Center Grove) made short work of the Norse in the top of the sixth as SJC had its line-up turned-over to do some damage in the bottom half. Hoskins led-off the inning with a slicing shot into right which hit the tip of the glove of Alex Caudill and bounded into foul territory. Hoskins advanced to third standing-up for Boerema who hit another double to give SJC a 4-3 lead.
Paris looking to sacrifice again, executed a perfectly place bunt that rolled through the right side of the infield. NKU had the wheel play on and once the bunt got past the pitcher no defender was in position to make a play. Boerema never stopped running as she scored from second to bring SJC three-outs away from the National Championships.
With the bottom of the order due-up the Pumas looked to make short work of the Norse, but after an error, single, and walk the bases were loaded. Jessica Farris lined-out to Varner who again stepped on second to record the double play. Franklin then got Mandi McQueen to fly out to center to end the game giving the Pumas the win and series sweep.
The Pumas will travel to Louisville to play the winner of the East Super Regional on Wednesday. First pitch at Knights Field on the campus of Bellarmine University is schedule for 4 pm EDT.