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Squad Takes Out William Paterson Again; Heads To World Series
Posted: 5/10/2009
Box Score | More Softball news
Saturday's regional championship game was never in doubt after the third inning, as Messiah rolled past William Paterson to advance to the national championships.

Mahwah, NJ – For the third time in program history, the Messiah softball team will compete in the NCAA Division III World Series.

The Falcons handed William Paterson University a 6-1 loss in the Ramapo College Regional final Sunday afternoon, defeating the Pioneers for the second time in as many days. Following a come-from-behind, 4-2 win over William Paterson on Saturday, Messiah (39-4) needed no such theatrics Sunday, posting five of its six runs over the second and third innings to roll to the convincing win.

Messiah moves on to compete in next weekend’s 2009 NCAA Division III Softball Championship at Montclair State University, the program’s first trip to the Big Dance since the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Sunday’s win also ties the school record for most wins in a season with 39.

“I am absolutely thrilled for these girls,” said 12th-year Messiah head coach, Amy Weaver. “They are so deserving of getting to this point. I’m the only one here that has ever been (to the World Series), so that makes it even better. It’s a new experience for all of our players and assistant coaches, so they’re extremely excited.”

This weekend was also the first NCAA First Round appearance for the entirety of the Messiah roster, but after a 4-0 sweep through the double-elimination tournament, nerves did not appear to be a problem. That was especially evident Sunday afternoon, as Weaver’s club jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, withstood a minor push from William Paterson (35-9), then exploded with the a three-run third inning to walk away with things.

“We played very, very well today,” Weaver said. “I think we’re playing the best softball we’ve played this year, so it’s nice to be peaking at the right time.”

Contrary to Saturday’s initial tilt with the Pioneers, it was Messiah that struck first, putting two on the board in the top of the second inning. A one-out double from junior Abby Bergakker was eventually plated off a roped single from freshman Ashley Lehman, while classmate Lauren Seneca – who reached on a fielder’s choice – was brought home by a single from freshman Abi Buchler.

“It’s obviously a psychological advantage to be in the winner’s bracket at this point, but William Paterson has some kids who can really swing the bat,” Weaver said. “I didn’t feel good about things until we got up by more later in the game.”

Paterson tacked on its lone run in the bottom of the second inning, as a lead-off double from Nicole Jimmerson was eventually scored off a single from Heather Mendez. The damage was limited thanks to some stellar Messiah defense, as Buchler rolled up a 4-3 double play to get out of the inning. Meanwhile, freshman pitching superstar Jessica Rhoads quickly returned to All-America form, giving up just one hit for the rest of the afternoon.

“Jess was great again, as was our defense, as was our bats,” Weaver said. “I’ve said it before, but you’ve got to have all three if you want to keep winning at this level.”

Messiah equaled its biggest regional-inning of offensive production in Sunday’s third, as a lead-off homer from freshman Jaclyn Merkel got things started. A pair of William Paterson errors eventually brought two more Falcons across home plate, and Weaver’s team had a 5-1 lead in hand.

The Falcons were never threatened.

Perhaps the game’s scariest moment occurred in the bottom of the third, when Bergakker took a fouled pitch to the throat, gasping for breath while crumpling behind the plate.

As Messiah’s starting catcher was tended to by Ramapo athletic training personnel, she made it clear she was not coming out of the game.

“They asked her to go into the dugout to get some ice and take some time to see how badly she was injured, but that’s when Abby said, ‘I am not coming out of this game.’ I started to laugh. That’s just the kind of kid she is. She’d have to be unconscious to come out of a game at this point in the year.”

Thankfully, Bergakker’s moment of trepidation had little effect on her performance. She went on to blast two more doubles – for a total of three on the afternoon – finishing 3-4 from the plate with three runs scored.

The last of those scores came in the fifth, where Bergakker was pushed around off a single from junior Nicole Adams and then brought home off another single from Lehman.

Lehman was another key cog in the day’s activities, as Messiah’s smallest player finished 2-4 from the plate with two RBI.

In the very end, however, it came down to the dominance of Rhoads (24-1) who allowed the Pioneers just one base runner in the team’s final five at-bats. She struck out five and walked none, while the Falcons’ defense behind her was errorless for the third time in the four-game weekend.

Rhoads, Bergakker, Merkel, Lehman and Seneca were named to the all-tournament team as a result of their play.

“We work hard year in and year out, but you never know when all the chips are going to fall into place to make it to this level,” Weaver said. “I’m so excited for these girls. They are a relentless group that really enjoys playing together. I’m thrilled for the opportunity ahead.”

Messiah will face fourth-ranked Ohio Northern University (39-4) in its opening game of the 2009 NCAA Division III Championship, as the Polar Bears won the DePauw University Regional by defeating the host and 15th-ranked Tigers by a 4-1 score Sunday afternoon.

Check back to this site in the coming days for updated information leading up to the World Series, or visit the official site of the 2009 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.