Softball Journey Ends In the NCAA Regional Finals

CLEVELAND – The 2022 CUW softball campaign came to an end on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Division III Tournament Regional Finals. The host Spartans of Case Western Reserves took the games with 6-4 and 7-2 victories to end the Falcons' season at 36-6 and advance to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals.

The Spartans struck first on Sunday with a two-run home run in the first inning.

Freshman Megan Bloyer (Oregon, Wis.) smacked a shot to shortstop that tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when senior Kelsey Bollon (Orangeville, Ill.) and freshman Jess Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.).

Junior Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) gave the Falcons the lead when she scored on a wild pitch.

Case Western tied the game in the fifth inning and took a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning on a home run.

Jess Pozezinski scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

The Spartans scored two runs on an error in the eighth inning to claim the victory.

Senior Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) had five strikeouts in the start and senior Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) had two strikeouts in the final two innings.

The Falcons turned two double plays in game one.

The Spartans struck in the first inning again in game two with three runs.

Claudia Utz cut into the lead with a home run to left-center field in the fourth inning.

The Spartans added to the lead with three runs in the fifth inning.

Claudia Utz struck again in the sixth inning when she singled up the middle of the infield that scored Jess Pozezinski.

Nicki Becker had two strikeouts in the start and Gina Followell added one in relief.

Claudia Utz led the flock with two of the six hits.

The Falcons will return to action in the spring of 2023.