The Maroons battled to a fourth place finish in the tournament and ended their season with a record of 35-11. This is the fourteenth team in Roanoke College history to reach the final four in their respective sport. They are also the second women's program to garner the accomplishment. Linfield (45-6) moves on to play Montclair State at 11 AM on Monday.
Roanoke made an impressive run at the championship that started with a 12 game winning streak ending in its loss to Montclair State on Saturday. The Maroons swept through the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament defeating Bridgewater College in the championship game. This was the first ODAC Championship for Roanoke since 2006. With the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Maroons went undefeated during the Newport News Regional to enter the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2001. In the run to the title, the Maroons went 7-2 against top-25 teams, and 5-1 against top-10 teams including #1 Emory in the Newport News Regionals.
Things looked up for Roanoke in the top of the first. With two outs, Hollee Warlitner reached base on a single. Stephanie Clark was hit by a pitch for the second time of the day, placing runners on first and second. Caitlin Manuel reached first on a throwing error, scoring Warlitner, then was thrown out trying to take second. After the top of the first, Roanoke led 1-0.
The Wildcats retaliated in the bottom of the second. Katy Brosig led off for Linfield with a single. She then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a single. Haylie Watson laid down a bunt of her own, scoring Mixsell from third, and putting runners on first and third, with one out. The Maroons were able to get out of the inning without any more damage thanks to a runner leaving early and a Higbie strikeout. After two, Linfield and Roanoke were tied at 1-1.
The Maroons were able to get two runners on the base paths in the top of the third, but couldn't get them around to score.
Linfield took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the third, as a sacrifice fly ball by Brosig scored Jaydee Baxter from third. Through three, Linfield led 2-1.
The Wildcats widened the gap in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Grace Middlestadt reached base on an error. She later scored on another throwing error that also scored Baxter. It was at this point that Clark came in to relieve Kelly Higbie. Clark would give up one more run during the inning, as Linfield led 5-1 at the end of the fourth.
Clark got in the zone in the bottom of the fifth, retiring the side. She got the first two batters out in the bottom of the sixth, then gave up a solo home run to Emilee Lepp. Clark then proceeded to strike out the last batter of the inning. After six, the Maroons trailed 6-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Maroons were retired in order, as the amazing season came to a close with a 6-1 loss to #3 Linfield College.
The Maroons tallied four hits with Bier, Warlitner, Manuel and Lowery each with one. Higbie pitched three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs off five hits. Only one of the runs that Higbie gave up was earned. Clark came in to pitch two and one-third innings, giving up one run off one hit.
Linfield's Lauren Harvey pitched the complete game, giving up one run off four hits and striking out six.
On Monday, the 2012 NCAA DIII Softball Championship All-Tournament Team was announced. Roanoke's Kelly Higbie earned a sport on the All-Tournament Team for her work inside the circle and at the plate. Higbie went 3-for-3 in the Maroons 2-0 victory over Luther College. She also pitched two complete game shutouts during the Championship round as well.
Below is the complete list of the 2012 NCAA DIII Softball Championship All-Tournament Team:
Pitcher - Kelly Higbie, Fr. - Roanoke
Pitcher - Alex Hills, So. - Montclair St.
Pitcher - Allyson Fournier, Fr. - Tufts
Pitcher - Lauren Harvey, Sr. - Linfield
Pitcher - Stacey Hagensen, Sr. - PLU
C - Emilee Lepp, Sr. - Linfield
1B - Alisha Cumberton, So. - Montclair St.
1B - Staci Doucette, Sr. - Linfield
1B - Amanda Hill, Jr. - PLU
3B - Karleigh Prestianni, Jr. - Linfield
3B - Haley Harshaw, Jr. - PLU
SS - Ashley Sujkowski, Jr. - Ohio Northern
OF - Montessa Califano, Jr. - PLU
Most Outstanding Player - Stacey Hagensen, PLU
For more information on the NCAA Division III Softball Championship, click here.
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