Softball Finally Eliminated at the NCAA Regional;

Illinois Wesleyan Knocks out Carthage in the Semifinals

2012 NCAA Great Lakes Regional: It must have the been the lack of coin flip. The Carthage College softball team (37-10, 11-3 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) had won three-straight elimination games at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Softball Regional Championship, with head coach Amy Gillmore losing the home-team coin flip twice. There was no flip on Sunday, May 13, and no miracle finish, either, as No. 9 Illinois Wesleyan University (39-7) nipped No. 21 Carthage, 2-1, in a regional semifinal game at the Illinois Wesleyan Softball Field in Bloomington, Ill.

The Lady Reds, after losing a first-round game to Anderson University (31-10), 9-1, on Thursday, May 10, refused to fold and ran off three wins in a row out of the loser’s bracket to reach the semifinals. This was the first Carthage softball team to advance that far in regional play. The 2010 team won its first game in Whitewater, Wis., before losing the next two. Following the first-round loss to Anderson, Carthage eliminated Benedictine University (Ill., 33-11), 1-0, on Friday, May 11; eliminated No. 22 Wisconsin-Eau Claire (33-14), 4-1, on Saturday, May 12; and then sent Anderson (32-12) home, also on May 12, by a 6-1 margin.

In the other first-round games on May 10, top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan (37-6) defeated eighth-seeded St. Norbert College (17-19), 4-1; fourth-seeded and No. 22 Wisconsin-Eau Claire (33-12) defeated fifth-seeded Fontbonne University (27-11), 6-1; and second-seeded, defending-national-champion and No. 3 Linfield College (39-5) blanked seventh-seeded Benedictine (Ill., 33-10), 3-0.

On Friday, May 11, St. Norbert (18-19) eliminated Fontbonne (27-12), 7-0; Illinois Wesleyan (38-6) edged Wisconsin-Eau Claire (33-13), 2-1; and Linfield (40-5) shut out Anderson (31-11), 8-0. On Saturday, May 12, Anderson (32-11) eliminated St. Norbert (18-20), 1-0, despite a complete-game no-hitter by the Green Knights’ Stephanie Schmitt, and Linfield (41-5) blanked Illinois Wesleyan (38-7), 3-0, in the undefeated game. With its win over Carthage in the semifinals, Illinois Wesleyan advanced to a Sunday, May 13 championship-round game versus Linfield, but the Titans (39-8) fell to the Wildcats (42-5) by a 6-2 margin. Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) was named to the all-tournament team.

Three Lady Reds Named All-Regional: Three Carthage players were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region team and all three to the first team. The three were pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove, 28-7, 2.00 earned run average, .234 opponent-batting average, 1.25 walks per seven innings, 6.48 strikeouts per seven innings), shortstop-leftfielder Katie Morman (Fr., Kenosha, Wis./Somers-Shoreland Lutheran, .329, 10 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 25 RBI, four stolen bases) and first baseman Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South, .321, 10 doubles, Carthage-record 14 home runs, 41 RBI, six stolen bases). Schrader was named NFCA first-team All-America in 2010, and Leazer earned second-team all-region honors in 2011.

2012 CCIW Tournament: Carthage advanced to the championship round of the CCIW Softball Tournament on Saturday morning, May 5 by eliminating Millikin University (23-18), 3-0, at the Illinois Wesleyan University Softball Field in Bloomington, Ill. The Lady Reds then needed two straight wins over the Titans to claim the tournament championship, but fell short, 7-5, in their first try.

The Lady Reds had to play two 10-inning games on Friday, May 4, the second one to stay alive at the tournament. Carthage lost to Millikin University (23-16), 5-3 in 10 innings, in a first-round game. No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan (34-6) defeated Elmhurst College (25-15), 4-2, on Friday in the other first-round contest. The Lady Reds then needed 10 more innings to eliminate Elmhurst (25-16), 5-3. In Friday's late game, Illinois Wesleyan (35-6) blanked Millikin (23-17), 7-0, in a winner's bracket game.

The CCIW Race: Carthage won a CCIW co-championship with Illinois Wesleyan University, both with 11-3 league marks. For the Lady Reds, the title was their third (1998, 2010 and 2012).

Alyssa Schrader Named CCIW "Player of the Year": First baseman Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South, .321, 30 runs scored, 10 doubles, Carthage-record 14 home runs, 41 RBI, .693 slugging percentage, .439 on-base percentage) was named 2012 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin "Softball Player of the Year." Schrader is the third Carthage player to win the award, with Jennifer Sandahl winning a CCIW Northern Division award in 1990 and Amanda Leitzen being named in 2005. Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove, 28-7, 2.00 earned run average, 6.48 strikeouts per seven innings, 1.61 walks per seven innings, .234 opponent-batting average) was named the league's "co-pitcher of the year," along with Illinois Wesleyan University's Molly McCready. Leazer is a repeat winner of the award. Carthage's only other CCIW "pitcher of the year" award was Shannon Gysberg in 2003. Joining Schrader and Leazer as first-team All-CCIW honorees were shortstop Katie Morman (Fr., Kenosha, Wis./Somers-Shoreland Lutheran, .329, 36 runs scored, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, 25 RBI, 4 stolen bases) and third baseman Vicki Pyan (So., Crystal Lake, Ill./South, .322, 42 runs scored, 9 doubles, 9 home runs, 30 RBI, 6 stolen bases).

The Polls: Emory University (33-3, 5 first-place votes) was ranked first in the May 9 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll, followed by Eastern Connecticut State University (40-1, 3 first-place votes) second, Linfield College (38-5) third, Pacific Lutheran University (36-11) fourth, Central College (35-8) fifth, Luther College (36-6) sixth, Texas Tyler (32-7) seventh, Tufts University (36-5) eighth, CCIW-member Illinois Wesleyan University (36-6) ninth, Christopher Newport University (34-9) 10th, the University of St. Thomas (Minn., 37-7) 11th, Rowan University (36-7) 12th, the University of Redlands (30-11) 13th, the State University of New York-Cortland (38-8) 14th and Montclair State University (38-7) ranked 15th. Carthage College (34-8) was ranked 21st in the national poll.

The Coach: Amy Gillmore completed her 15th year as head coach in 2012 (347-220, 15 years). Gillmore won her 300th game with a 10-4 decision over Concordia University (Chicago) on April 7 in River Forest, Ill. She was named 1998 CCIW "Softball Coach of the Year." A standout shortstop for Carthage from 1992 to 1994, Gillmore was a three-time All-CCIW selection. She ranks among Carthage career leaders in batting average, hits, runs scored, RBI, doubles, triples, bases on balls, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. She is also the Lady Reds’ all-time stolen base leader with 30 swipes. Gillmore holds season records for stolen bases, runs scored and hit-by-pitch.

The Conference: Now in its 66th year, as of 2011-12, the CCIW began sponsorship of softball as a championship sport in 1987. The CCIW began sponsorship of softball as a championship sport in 1987. Illinois Wesleyan University has won a league-leading 11 championships. North Central College has won a seven titles, Millikin University four, Carthage three, Augustana College (Ill.) two, and Elmhurst College has won a single title. Carthage won the 1998 and 2010 championships and won a co-championship in 2012. The CCIW coaches picked North Central (Ill., 6 first-place votes) to win the 2012 title, followed by Carthage (2 first-place votes) second, defending-champion Millikin third, Illinois Wesleyan fourth, Augustana (Ill.) fifth, Wheaton College (Ill.) sixth, Elmhurst seventh and North Park University eighth.

CCIW Players of the Week: Millikin University's Kathleen Campbell (Sr., Harrisburg, Ill.) and Illinois Wesleyan University pitcher Alyssa Vorel (Jr., Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township) were named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin "Softball Players of the Week" on May 1, Campbell for the second time this season. Campbell, who also earned "player of the week" honors on March 6, batted .500 (5-for-10), with four runs scored, a .900 slugging percentage, three walks and a .615 on base percentage last week. She was three-for-three with three doubles and three runs scored in a 9-0 win over Augustana College (Ill.) on April 30 to clinch a CCIW Softball Tournament berth. Vorel went 2-0 with a 0.79 earned run average in three appearances last week. She gave up only two earned runs, struck out 12 and walked six with a .197 opponent-batting average. She moved to 11-2 on the season with a 5-1 victory over Wheaton College (Ill.) on April 30, going six innings and striking out three.

CCIW Championship Format: Beginning in 2007, the CCIW’s regular-season champion wins the conference title and has the option of playing host to the CCIW Softball Tournament on either its home field or at another location. The top-four teams, by CCIW winning percentage, qualify for the CCIW Softball Tournament. The winner of the double-elimination tournament will receive the league’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

NCAA Statistics: Carthage's Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South) was ranked 10th among 2012 NCAA Division III leaders in home runs per game (0.30), and pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) was fourth in wins (28). As a team, Carthage was ranked fifth in fielding percentage (.971) and eighth in home runs per game (0.85).

May 10 NCAA Regional Game Notes: In Carthage’s first-round loss, Anderson took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. After Stephanie Atkins reached base on a throwing error by shortstop Abby Hanson, Megan Ream launched a two-run homer to left-center field. The Ravens scored three times in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Natalie Moorhouse hit a two-run double to score Samantha Steele from third and Amy Wuestefeld all the way from first. With two outs, Lauren Smith singled up the middle to score Moorhouse.

In the sixth, it looked like Carthage had a chance to get back in the game. Anderson coach Tony Holloway pulled starting pitcher Monica Crowe to start the inning, perhaps to save her for a second-round game. Crowe had stifled the Lady Reds on two singles and two walks through the first five innings. With reliever Devin Moorman on the hill, Carthage finally got on the scoreboard on a solo home run by Vicki Pyan to lead off the inning. The Lady Reds proceeded to load the bases with two outs, but pinch-hitter Randi Rederer struck out swinging to end the inning. Moorhouse, aiding her own cause, led off the seventh with a solo home run down the leftfield line to up Anderson’s lead to 6-1. The Ravens then put two runners on with one out, and Megan Ream hit a three-run homer to close out the scoring at 9-1.

Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove, 25-6) struggled, allowing five runs, four earned, on nine hits over five innings. Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South) worked the final two frames and surrendered four runs on five hits and a walk. Crowe (19-2) was the winning pitcher. Anderson collected 14 hits, with Megan Ream going two-for-four with five RBI. Natalie Moorhouse went two-for-three with two runs scored and three RBI. The Lady Reds managed only four hits against the two Raven hurlers.

“I knew Anderson was a pretty good team,” said Carthage coach Amy Gillmore, “and we picked the wrong day not to play very well. We didn’t play well defensively, we didn’t pitch well, and we didn’t make the adjustments at the plate that we need to. We needed to move up in the batter’s box against their pitchers, and we didn’t do that until the sixth inning. We had runners in scoring position a few times, especially in the sixth, but just didn’t do anything to help our cause. We just never got the key hit that we needed. I was surprised when Anderson changed pitchers. Monica Crowe was dominating us. That move could have backfired for them, but we didn’t adjust. Anderson got the big hits when they needed them, and we didn’t. When we made a mistake, the capitalized. I didn’t think Krystina Leazer pitched all that bad, but Anderson used their speed to execute their game. All eight teams are good, and we didn’t have our A-game today. We’ll need it tomorrow against either Linfield or Benedictine.”

May 11 NCAA Regional Game Notes: In the Lady Reds’ win over Benedictine, Carthage took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. After Olivia Scott reached base on a throwing error by Eagles third baseman Lucy Poro, Bryanna Heckel and Corinne Sheley followed by singles, the latter scoring Scott. Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove), looking considerably sharper than she did on Thursday against Anderson, faced her only real threat in the fifth inning. Chelsea White singled back to the mound to open the frame and went to second on a bunt, but Leazer got Kelly Mieszala swinging on a high third strike and Brittany Wolski on a ground ball to end the inning. The lone Carthage run was all Leazer needed. She gave up two singles in the first inning, two in the third and the single to White in the fifth, along with one walk, and she struck out six to improve to 26-6. Brittany Adcox (24-5) took the loss. Corinne Sheley (So., Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) had two of the Lady Reds’ four hits.

“We had a case of the nerves yesterday,” admitted Carthage coach Amy Gillmore. “Today, everybody knew it was win or go home. We didn’t make any defensive mistakes. We could have made better contact at the plate, but Krystina Leazer pitched one heck of a game. If she can keep pitching like that, and if we get the bats going, we can still make a run at this thing. We sure could have used some better execution or big hit to get us going, but we kept Benedictine off base and held their speed in check. As bad as we played on Thursday, we played well today. When we needed a big pitch, Krystina Leazer gave it to us. We want the ball in her hands in big games, and we’ll go as far as she takes us. I don’t care if we have to play Illinois Wesleyan again tomorrow, if it works out that way. As long as we’re still playing.”

May 12 NCAA Regional Game Notes: In the Lady Reds’ win over UW-Eau Claire, Carthage jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second. With one out, Olivia Scott singled up the middle. She advanced to second on a wild pitch from Ashley Meinen, and with one out, took third on another wild pitch. Corinne Sheley singled up the middle to score Scott, and Alyse Mikolas doubled down the leftfield line to score Sheley. The Lady Reds made it 4-0 in the third. Vicki Pyan singled with one out, and Alyssa Schrader followed with a booming, two-run homer to left, her 14th of the year. The Blugolds got a run back in the fourth and threatened to add more. Sarah Fern singled in a run to make it 4-1, and Wisconsin-Eau Claire proceeded to load the bases with two outs against Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove), who got Deanne Gilane on a called third strike to end the inning.

That ended the scoring, with Leazer improving to 27-6 with a five-hut, one-run effort, walking two and striking out eight. Ashley Meinen (12-6) took the loss by surrendering five runs, four earned, on five hits. Corinne Sheley (So., Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Alyse Mikolas (So., Kenosha, Wis./Bradford) each had two hits for Carthage.

After two scoreless innings in the Anderson game, Carthage erupted for five runs in the third, capitalizing on two key Anderson errors. With Katie Morman on first and one out, Jen Precht hit a grounder back to Ravens pitcher Devin Moorman. Moorman threw the ball into centerfield, allowing Morman, who had rounded the bag at second, to scamper back safely. Caris Alan ran for Morman, and Vicki Pyan followed with a double to score Alan. With two outs, Abby Hanson doubled in Precht and Pyan. Olivia Scott then hit a single to left, and Hanson scored when Anderson catcher Stephanie Atkins dropped the ball at the plate after tagging Hanson out. Scott then advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Bryanna Heckel for the fifth run of the inning. The Ravens got a run back in the fourth, but Olivia Scott’s RBI-single in the fifth gave Carthage a 6-1 lead to close out the scoring.

Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) improved her record to 28-6 by limiting Anderson to one run on seven hits and two walks over seven innings, while striking out five batters. Devin Moorman (10-6) took the loss. Olivia Scott (Fr., Plainfield, Ill./Central) went three-for-three and Bryanna Heckel (So., Kenosha, Wis./Salem-Westosha Central) two-for-three.

May 13 NCAA Regional Game Notes: In Carthage’s loss to Illinois Wesleyan, the Lady Reds fell behind, 2-0, in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run by Keri Leach, her seventh of the year, off starting pitcher Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove). The Lady Reds got a run back in the bottom half on an RBI-single by Abby Hanson. Carthage got its leadoff batter, Katie Morman, on base in the third, but Jen Precht’s attempt at a sacrifice bunt was waived off when she stepped backwards to avoid a tag along the first-base line. Vicki Pyan then struck out swinging, and Morman was caught stealing on the same play to end the inning.

Carthage’s best chance at a comeback came in the fifth when the Lady Reds loaded the bases with one out against Titans hurler Molly McCready. McCready went three-and-two on pinch-hitter Amy Slattery before getting her on a swinging strike three. The next batter, Vicki Pyan, was ahead in the count, three-and-one, and she fouled off three-straight pitches before striking out swinging to end the threat. In the Carthage seventh, with two outs, Katie Morman just missed a game-tying home run that curled foul just before the leftfield pole. Morman then filed to medium rightfield to end the game.

McCready (18-4) limited the Lady Reds to one run of four hits and three walks, while striking out seven batters. Krystina Leazer, who pitched 33 of Carthage’s 35 NCAA innings, allowed two runs on four hits and run walk, while striking out six. She ended a brilliant 2012 season with a 28-7 record and a 2.00 earned run average.

“Krystina Leazer just pitched a great game,” said Carthage coach Amy Gillmore. “She hung one change up to Keri Leach, and that turned out to be the difference. We had our chances. Katie Morman was an inch away from tying the game in the seventh. We have nothing to hang our heads about. We played a great game against the top-seeded team, and I would take this team any day over the team we lost to. I pinch hit Amy Slattery for Jen Precht in the fifth inning, because Amy had been making better contact, and I was hoping for at least a fly ball. That inning turned out to be a killer, and just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunity. I would have loved the chance to play defending-national-champion Linfield in the championship round, and that game would have given us a great chance to see where we stack up against a national-caliber-type team. This team never gave up, never gave up on each other and never gave up on the coaches. They fought every inning of every game in this tournament. We have a good team coming back next year, and this experience is definitely going to help us in 2013.”

A Lot of Games in Bloomington: Carthage played 11 of its last 13 games at the Illinois Wesleyan Softball Field in Bloomington, Ill.

The Record Book: First baseman Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South) finished her four-year career as Carthage’s all-time leader in home runs (38), RBI (123), bases on balls (72) and games started (159), while ranked fourth in slugging percentage (.624), fifth in base hits (154), eighth in on-base percentage (.422), tied for 13th place in doubles (21) and ranked 15th in batting average (.330)…with a win over Augustana College (Ill.) on April 22, Krystina Leazer (Jr., Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) won her 20th game and broke her own 2011 season record of 19 wins…Alyssa Schrader (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./South) set school season records for home runs (14) and bases on balls (31)…Carthage set team season records for base hits (374), runs scored (250), doubles (75), home runs (40),