SMU Fastpitch Softball

Muskingum captures first-ever nationa title with 4-1 win over Central

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Muskingum won the NCAA Division III softball championship with a 4-1 triumph over Central at Gelein Field here Sunday afternoon.

In winning the school's first-ever national championship, the Muskies went through the eight-team, double elimination tournament unbeaten and extended their consecutive game win streak to 34 games, a Division III record, breaking the mark of 33 set by Saint Mary's University (MN) in 1998 and equalled by Muskingum in 1999.

The victory, a school record 47th for the season against just six losses, was a bittersweet one for Muskingum in that assistant coach John Wells collapsed during warmups for the Muskies' Friday game against defending national champion St. Mary's. He died later that night at an Eau Claire hospital.

"Our theme all year has been 'stay in the present,' " said Muskingum coach Donna Newberry, when asked how her team comintued to play despite Well's death. "Everyone (on the team) knew that, but to be able to do it is another thing."

The championship game was won for Muskingum when Shelli Manson and Jennifer Shay hit back-to-back pitches for home runs that staked the Muskies to a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Manson's came with a runner on base.

"That's about the fourth or fifth time we've done that this year," Newberry said of the back-to-back HRs. "But this time, it was huge, coming in the championship. Our timing couldn't have been better."

Central managed to cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the fifth, but Muskingum regained the three-run advantage with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

"When you win that many in a row (34), you're doing a lot of things right," said Central coach George Wares, who has guided Central to three national championships and has won more postseason games than any active Division III head softball coach. "I thought our players competed. We had a chance to score a run or two early, but we hit some balls right at people.

"Somebody asked me if I had the choice of coming here 10 more times and finishing second or third every time, or coming here just one more time and winning it all, I'd take the 10 more times even if we never won one. It's such a great experience."

Dani Keiffer, who handled the pitching duties for all 28 of the Muskies' innings in the national tournament, earned her 30th win of the season against just three losses. She gave up six hits with no walks and no strikeouts. She allowed only two runs during the entire tournament and only Central's in the championship game was earned.

"I credit my defense. They made all the plays," Keiffer said. "This is a dream come true. I'm still in shock. It's just unbelievable."

Central missed an opportunity to gain some momentum in the second inning. The Dutch got leadoff hits from Kelly Oliver and Missy Voigt. After they were advanced to second and third on a sacrifice, Oliver was thrown out at the plate and Katy Lein, who had reached first on a fielder's choice, was called out for leaving first early.

In the fifth, Central scored its lone run on a sacrifice fly by pinchhitter Emily Carlson. She plated Kris Hughes who had reach on a fielder's choice. Muskingum's matching run in the bottom of the fifth came off the bat of Mandy Carnes who doubled home Chantelle Andrews who had singled and advanced to second on a single by Julie Ryan.

Keiffer was one of four Muskingum players named to the All-Tournament team. The others included infielders Carla Kampschmidt (first base) and Julie Ryan (shortstop) and outfielder Jennifer Shay.

Central had three named to the All-Tourney team in catcher Annie Van Wetzinga, infielder Molly Parrott (second base) and pitcher Libby Hysell. The runner-up finish was the best for the Dutch since 1993 when they won their third national championship. Central has advanced to the NCAA tournament 16 times and this was their 10th top four finish.

The remainder of the All-Tournament team included Wheaton's Rachael Powers (third base) and Carmella Ranieri (designated player), Saint Mary's Jennifer Meyer (outfield) and Jackie Huegel (at-large), Roanoke's Amy Layman (at-large), William Paterson's Katie Morris (at-large) and North Central's Betsy Dwyer (at-large).