By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan didn’t panic after dropping the first game of the NCAA Division III Super Regional on Friday.
After all, they’d been there before.
The No, 24-ranked Titans regrouped and shutout No. 25 Wisconsin-Whitewater, 7-0 and 3–0, in the final two games Saturday at IWU to advance to the College World Series.
The Titans had dropped the opener in the Super Regional in each of the last three seasons.
Ally Wiegand sealed the title with a complete-game one-hitter, retiring the first 19 batters she faced. The Tri-Valley graduate was named Most Outstanding Pitcher for the Tournament.
After tossing a complete game Friday in a 1-0 loss, Wiegand said it was tough watching that first game waiting for her chance after tossing a complete game Friday in a 1-0 loss.
“I got anxious and through it, but then I got excited and kind of got into a zone and that’s what I live by, a focus,” Wiegand said. “Got in that red zone is what I call it. (Teammates) feed off of it and it just gets the game going.”
Sydhey Alery gave IWU broke scoreless ties with solo homeruns in both games. The first game in the sixth inning, while she went deep in the first inning in the finale.
Alery shared Most Outstanding Player honors with Sam Berghoff, who homered twice, including a grand slam in the opening game on Saturday. She said Alery’s first homer helped her get comfortable at the plate.
“When I see that happen, I just go up there, super excited, but it also allows me to be a little relaxed, you know we’ve got a run on the board,” Berghoff said. “I can go up there and do the same thing, look for a good pitch.”
The Titans (36-11-1) will play in the double-elimination NCAA finals starting Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
