Benoit's Bases Loaded Walk In Bottom Of Seventh Advances Storm

Centerfielder Kelsey Castenson
Centerfielder Kelsey Castenson makes a nice catch as she gets ready to throw to get the runner on third base trying to score to end the sixth inning.

No. 21 Simpson (29-10) defeated No. 23 Illinois Wesleyan (29-10) 1-0 in the first game of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament May 8 in Eau Claire, Wis.

The Storm threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Kelsie Host (So., Altoona, Iowa, Southeast Polk H.S.) singled to open the inning. She moved to second on a Carlye Owens (Jr., Norwalk, Iowa, Norwalk H.S.) sacrifice. Julie O’Neal (Fr., West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley H.S.) singled to right. Both O’Neal and Host moved up a base on a Wesleyan error. Jessica Barkley (So., Mitchellville, Iowa, Southeast Polk H.S.) grounded out to the catcher for the second out. Amanda Armstrong (Sr., Indianola, Iowa, Indianola H.S.) struck out looking to end the inning.

The Titans’ Kayla Kindred led off the top of the sixth with a single. Monica Urban followed with a bunt single that brought up Lisa Narotsky who sacrificed both runners over. Ashley Deck lined out to Kelsey Castenson (So.., Harcourt, Iowa, Southeast Webster H.S.) in center. She threw home to Allie Hock (Fr., Lawrence, Kan., Free State H.S.), the Storm catcher, who tagged out Kindred for the double play to end the inning.

Illinois Wesleyan threatened again in the seventh. Valerie Hackett began the frame with a single. Calie Hohneke (Sr., Indianola, Iowa, Indianola H.S.) struck out Allison Ward looking. Kelly Nelson popped out to second for out No. 2. Hohneke struck out pinch hitter Sarah Carlson to end the inning.

O’Neal walked to get the bottom of the seventh under way. Amanda Enochs (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa, East H.S.) pinch ran for O’Neal and advanced to second on a Kristy Engel wild pitch. Amanda Esdohr (So., Coon Rapids, Iowa, Coon Rapids-Bayard H.S.) pinch hit for Barkley and reached on a bunt single, moving Enochs to third. Armstrong was intentionally walked load the bases. Hock grounded into a fielder’s choice that forced Enochs at home. Chelsey Benoit (So., Winterset, Iowa, Winterset H.S.) walked for the to plate Esdohr for the gamewinner.

Engel limited the Storm to three hits while Hohneke responded with a five-hitter. Hohneke struck out five and did not walk a batter.

The Storm advance in the winner’s bracket where they will meet No. 3 St. Thomas on Friday at 4 p.m. The Tommies (41-3) were 8-0 winners over Ripon on Thursday.

Illinois Wesleyan  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Simpson             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 0

IW-Engel and Nelson. S-Hohneke and Hock. W-Hohneke (15-5), L-Engel (17-5).

 

Last Updated: 5/8/08