softball news 2011

News

May 5, 2012
FOUR PIONEERS RECEIVE POST-SEASON HONORS
On the heels of a season in which it won a school-record 28 games and earned its first-ever NJCAA Region IV runner-up  plaque, the good news keeps pouring in for the Prairie State College softball team.

The PSC Athletic Department was pleased to learn recently that four Pioneers received post-season accolades.

Sophomore center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) were selected to both the All-Region IV and All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference teams.

Freshman pitcher Amanda Ahlert (Andrew H.S.) and freshman right fielder Emmy Vowell (Peotone H.S.) also landed on the All-Skyway team.

Marganski batted .398 on the campaign with a team-best 52 RBIs and three home runs. Her 45 runs were second only to Savaglio’s squad-leading 50.

In two seasons as a Pioneer, Marganski compiled a .401 career batting average with 131 hits, seven homers, 88 RBIs and 88 runs. She also manufactured an on base percentage of .425.

In Skyway action, Marganski, a two-time all-conference pick, batted an even .500 with a slugging percentage of .769. She also drove in 20 runs and belted three round-trippers.

Marganski’s best individual effort of the season also happened to be her best outing of the conference slate. In a 14-0 PSC win over Lake County on April 12, Marganski went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and two doubles.

She also turned in a 3-4 showing against league rival Moraine Valley (April 3). In that contest she compiled a 3-for-4 afternoon which included a pair of RBIs, a home run, two runs and a stolen base.

In all, Marganski delivered 23 multiple-hit games in 2012, including a string of six straight from March 22-29.

She also compiled a perfect .1000 fielding percentage from her spot in center field during conference play.

On the season, Marganski recorded a fielding percentage of .963 with just three errors in 82 total chances.

Savaglio hit .413 overall with a .444 on base percentage, 22 RBIs and a team-best 20 stolen bases.

In 87 career games at PSC, Savaglio constructed a .396 batting average with 124 hits, 36 steals, 38 RBIs and 95 runs.

In conference action, Savaglio swung the bat to the tune of a .400 batting average. She also went a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts.

Savaglio’s best individual effort of the season came in the Pioneers’ 20-7 triumph over Joliet on March 15. In that contest she went 5-for-5 with three runs and an RBI.

Savaglio registered 19 multiple-hit games in 2012.

Vowell batted .365 in Skyway action with 12 RBIs, 14 runs and seven doubles.

Her top performance of the league schedule came against Waubonsee (April 17). In that contest, she went 4-for-4 with three runs and a double.

In PSC’s 14-6 victory over Oakton in the first game of a doubleheader on April 5, Vowell went 2-for-4 with an RBI, run and pair of doubles.

Vowell also turned in a strong nightcap against the Raiders, going 2-for-4 once again with an RBI, run and double.

Ahlert went 7-2 in Skyway games with a 4.05 ERA.  She also struck out 46 hitters in 46.2 innings of work while walking only eight. 

Skyway batters hit just .239 off of her.

All seven of Ahlert’s Skyway wins were complete-game triumphs.

Ahlert’s most impressive outing of the conference schedule came in PSC’s 12-2 win over Oakton (April 5). In that start, Ahlert went the distance, allowing just two runs on three hits while fanning six.

Her season-high for strikeouts in a conference game was nine in an 8-1 win over McHenry (April 23).

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2012-13 SOFTBALL LETTERS OF INTENT SIGNEES
The following student-athletes have signed NJCAA letters of intent to continue their academic and softball careers at Prairie State College beginning in the Fall 2012 semester:

• SS Courtney Spirek (Riverside-Brookfield H.S.)

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PIONEERS AT THE NEXT LEVEL
The following 2010-2011 Prairie State College softball players are currently attending four-year institutions. 

• Samantha Contreras – Eastern Illinois University
• Kristen Hensen – University of Illinois at Chicago
• Jaleesha Conner - Kentucky State University
• Lisa Moriarty – North Park University

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November 30, 2011
PSC SOFTBALL TEAM TO HOST OPEN TRYOUT
The Prairie State College softball team will hold an open tryout Saturday, January 7 inside the Prairie Center, located on the campus of Prairie State College.

The tryout will run from noon to 2 p.m.

All participants must have a physical and be enrolled at the college full-time for the spring semester.

Marty Mears is the Pioneers’ head coach.

For additional information, please contact Prairie State College Coordinator of Sports Information, Chris Kuchta (708-709-3950) or email mmears@prairiestate.edu.

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June 15, 2011
PIONEERS PLACE 14 ON ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE LIST
Several Prairie State College student-athletes proved once again that success on the scholastic front can directly be correlated to triumphs in the athletic arena.

The PSC Athletic Department was pleased to learn that 14 of its student-athletes were named to the 2010-11 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Academic Team.

"What these 14 student-athletes have done is a great accomplishment," PSC Director of Physical Education and Athletics, Ed Schaffer said. "Their work ethic and dedication have enabled them to excel in the classroom as well as in their chosen sports. They epitomize what it means to be a student-athlete."

Leading the way for Prairie State's honorees, and making some school history along the way, was sophomore men's cross country runner Steve Tijerina (Covenant Christian H.S.).

Tijerina, a major contributor to the Pioneers' success on the race course this past fall, became Prairie State's first recipient of the prestigious Dick Durrant Sophomore Academic Athlete of the Year Award.

The Durrant Award, named after legendary Elgin Athletic Director, Dick Durrant, is presented to sophomore student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 in at least 48 hours of course work.

Out of the three Durrant Award winners of 2010-11, Tijerina was the lone male recipient.

In order to be selected to the Skyway Conference All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must produce a minimum GPA of 3.0 in at least 48 semester hours.

Tijerina was joined on the all-academic squad by women's freshman cross country runner Kara Boss (Homeschooled).

Boss graduated magna cum laude (GPA between 3.65-3.84).

The Pioneers' baseball program landed three athletes on the all-academic team as sophomore Tom Lally (De La Salle Institute), sophomore Mark Scott (Marian Catholic H.S.) and sophomore Zach Smerz (Reavis H.S.) were all chosen.

Lally also graduated magna cum laude.

Sophomore women's soccer and basketball standout Tara Spell (Wilmington H.S.) represented two sports on the team.

Sophomore Sophia Miranda (Bloom Trail H.S.) and freshman Zanah Thirus (Homeschooled) both represented women's soccer on the all-academic squad.

Freshman women's basketball player Leah Avery (Brooks Academy) also made the team.

Sophomore Tomer Sirma (Dekel Vilni H.S., Israel), (Men's Soccer), sophomore Luke Bihl (Andrew H.S.), (Tennis), sophomore Cody Staton (Bloom Trail H.S.), (Golf), sophomore Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (Softball) and sophomore Melissa Smerz (Bremen H.S.), (Volleyball) were also selected.

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Jaleesha Conner	Kristen Hensen	Samantha Contreras	Andrea Marganski	Nina Savaglio

May 18, 2011
POST SEASON HONORS APLENTY FOR PIONEERS
After a season in which they set school records for wins in both regular season and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play, the Prairie State College softball team received some more good news recently, as five Pioneers received postseason recognition.

Leading the quintet of honorees was sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.).Conner was named to both the NJCAA All-Region IV Team as well as the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference First Team.

In addition to Conner, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and sophomore pitcher/first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) were joined by freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) on the all-conference first team.

Freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) rounded out PSC’s honorees with a second-team all-conference selection.

Conner batted a team-best .402 on the season with 17 doubles and 30 RBIs, while posting a team-high .581 slugging percentage. Her 26 walks also helped her compile an on-base percentage of .514.

The 5-foot-6 Conner hit an astonishing .480 with runners in scoring position and .750 with the bases loaded.

A .452 hitter with two-out, Conner also showed a penchant for delivering in the clutch.

Conner, who appeared in 41 games, registered 14 multiple-hit contests, seven multi-RBI and nine multi-run contests in 2011.

Her two best single-game efforts of the year came courtesy of a 3-for-4, four-RBI showing in a 9-7 victory over Rock Valley on April 3.

She also drove in four runs with a 3-for-3, four-RBI day in an 11-3 triumph over South Suburban (April 5).

In Skyway play, Conner hit .393 with five doubles and slugged .643.

Marganski hit .390 in Skyway action with one home run and eight RBIs. She also slugged .634 and registered a 419 OBP.

Marganski’s most impressive effort in league action came in an 18-10 win over Lake County on April 12 in which the speedy center fielder went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs.

Marganksi also went 3-for-5 with three runs an RBI and two doubles in PSC’s 19-6 triumph over Oakton (April 21).

Hensen went 4-2 with 13 strikeouts from the circle as a pitcher and hit .289 in conference play with four doubles and nine RBIs. She also set a PSC record with 14 regular-season victories.

Hensen’s best offensive effort in league play was a 2-for-3 outing with a run and RBI in a 13-10 triumph over Oakton on April 21.

Contreras batted .366 in league play with her best individual showing in the league coming in PSC’s 5-2 win over McHenry on April 7.

In that contest, Contreras went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. She also worked a complete game from the circle, allowing just two runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Contreras compiled a 3-2 mark as a pitcher in league games.

Savaglio hit .333 in conference play and was a near-perfect 6-of-7 in stolen base attempts. Savaglio’s 16 runs in conference play were tops on the team.

The 5-foot-6 Savaglio’s 4-for-5 effort with an RBI and three runs in the 18-10 win over Lake County proved to be her best in Skyway action.

Savaglio also logged 4.2 innings as a pitcher, posting a 1-0 mark in league play.

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May 6-7, 2011
HISTORIC RUN FOR PSC SOFTBALL COMES TO A CLOSE
FREEPORT, Ill.—The old adage "All good things must come to an end," was unfortunately experienced firsthand by the Prairie State College softball team Saturday.

The Pioneers (26-23) saw their most successful season in program history come to an end following an 8-1 loss to McHenry in an NJCAA Region IV Semifinal in Freeport.

PSC would never have advanced to the semis had it not scored a decisive 5-1 victory over local rival Moraine Valley in a Friday afternoon quarterfinal however.

Following the win over Moraine Valley, Prairie State dropped its second contest of the day Friday, 9-0 to Kankakee.

During the 2011 campaign, PSC posted a program record for overall wins (26) and wins within the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (8). PSC's third-place finish in the league was also the best mark in school history.

Despite Saturday's setback, PSC received more good news following the completion of the tournament as sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) and freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) were both selected to the all-tournament team.

Friday's triumph over Moraine proved to be a substantial morale-booster, considering the fact that the Pioneers had dropped both ends of their conference doubleheader with the Cyclones on April 29.

In the Moraine win, PSC picked up a strong effort from Marganski (2-for-4, RBI, stolen base) and freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.).

Freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and double and Moriarty turned in a 1-for-4 outing with three RBIs.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) delivered another substantial performance from the circle, going the distance to earn her 14th win of the campaign.

The left-handed Hensen kept Moraine Valley off balance for most of the contest, allowing just one run on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts.

The Pioneers jumped on the board from the get-go, tallying three times in the first inning thanks to an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Moriarty and run-scoring single from Harris.

PSC plated two more in the fifth as Moriarty cracked a two-run single, scoring sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and Marganski.

PSC was only able to scratch out one hit in the loss to Kankakee as Sam Contreras' fourth-inning double proved to provide Prairie State its lone base runner.

The Pioneers got off to a sluggish start against McHenry, a team whom they had handily beaten in league play, falling behind 3-0 in the first inning.

PSC trailed 6-0 in the fifth before they tallied their only run of the contest, courtesy of an RBI safety by Hensen.

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May 3, 2011
PIONEERS TAKE OUT OAKTON THANKS TO DRAMATIC COMEBACK
Prairie State College head softball coach Marty Mears put it both simple and best following his team's rollercoaster of an afternoon Tuesday.

"That's why you play the game as hard as you can all the way to the end."

Sophomore right fielder Lisa Moriarty's (Mother McAuley H.S.) dramatic walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning completed an improbable comeback and lifted the Pioneers to an 8-7 Game 3 victory in a best-of-three NJCAA Region IV quarterfinal series with Oakton in Chicago Heights.

Thanks to the win, Prairie State will advance in the region tournament for the first time in program history.

The Pioneers (25-21) will now face Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Moraine Valley on Friday at 1 p.m. at Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill.

After winning the series opener 1-0, PSC stumbled to a 14-6 setback in Game 2, forcing the deciding third contest.

What made Tuesday's Game 3 triumph even sweeter was the fact that the Pioneers trailed by an almost-insurmountable 7-1 seventh-inning deficit.

"Today was just a great effort, a total team effort," Mears said. "The credit goes to the players. They never gave up."

Falling behind 4-0 in the first inning of Game 3, PSC cut the lead to 4-1 in the second when sophomore Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.),(1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs) scored on a single off the bat of freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (3-for-4, 2 RBI, double).

In the incredible seventh, the Pioneers tallied five times before the Raiders could record an out, thanks in part to an RBI single by sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and two-run double by Conner.

Moriarty touched the plate with the tying run, courtesy of freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick's (Bloom Trail H.S.) RBI groundout.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) started the winning rally in the eighth with a two-out single to right.

Following a walk to Conner, Moriarty put together a tough at bat, fouling off several pitches before squaring up an 0-and-2 offering for the game-winner down the left-field line as Marganski slid across the plate well ahead of the tag.

Lost in the happiness of the win was the performance of the left-hander Hensen, who when all was said and done, picked up two wins on the day, despite battling a jammed finger on her pitching hand.

Hensen moved her season record to 13-9 with the Game 2 win, going all eight frames, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits while striking out five.

She also played a major role in Game 1, again going the distance en route to a four-hit shutout with three punchouts.

PSC tallied the lone run of the opener courtesy of Fredrick's second-inning RBI safety to left.

Fredrick went 2-for-2 in Game 1.

Moriarty also had a big day in Game 2, going 2-for-2 with two runs and three RBIs, a solo home run and double.

PSC found themselves down 6-0 in the second and was never able to effectively mount a comeback.

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May 1, 2011
PIONEERS DROP REGULAR-SEASON FINALE AGAINST NO.4 KANKAKEE
KANKAKEE, Ill.—The Prairie State College softball team was unable to garner a win Sunday against NJCAA No. 4 Kankakee, falling to the Cavaliers 4-0 and 9-0 in the regular-season finale for both teams.

PSC will now move onto the NJCAA Region IV Tournament, beginning Tuesday.

The Pioneers (23-20) came into Sunday’s doubleheader as proud owners of the nation’s 13th-ranked offense, but could only muster one hit in the opener and just four on the day.

Sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) collected the lone safety of Game 1, when she ripped a sharp two-out single to right in the second inning.

Sophomore center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) and sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) both drew walks in the contest and were PSC’s only other base runners.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) turned in a strong effort from the circle, but was done in by some shaky defense.

Prairie State made a quartet of errors in both games.

Hensen worked six innings, allowing just one earned run on seven hits.

Freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) provided one of the only bright spots for the Pioneers Sunday, going 2-for-2 in the nightcap and registering PSC’s only extra base hit of the afternoon, a two-out double in the second inning.

Sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) picked up the Pioneers’ only other hit of the second game when she cracked a first-inning single to right-center field.

Kankakee broke Game 2 open with a four-run third frame.

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April 29, 2011
PIONEERS STUMBLE AT MORAINE
PALOS HILLS, Ill.—The Prairie State College softball team, despite a strong overall effort, was unable to secure a win over Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Moraine Valley Friday afternoon, dropping both ends of its doubleheader with the Cyclones.

The Pioneers (23-18, 8-4) fell 9-5 and 5-2.

PSC received a solid performance in Game 1 from sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.). The 5-foot-6 Conner went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run.

Sophomore right fielder Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) and freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.) were the only other Pioneers to collect hits in the opener.

PSC grabbed a 1-0 first-inning lead when freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) scored on Conner’s RBI single.

After falling behind 2-1, following the home half of the first, Harris knotted the score when she crossed the plate courtesy of an RBI groundout off the bat of Savaglio in the second.

PSC fell behind again, 5-2, in the fifth and roared back to tie the tilt in the sixth following Moriarty’s RBI safety.

A four-run seventh for Moraine put the contest out of reach.

The Pioneers got themselves off to a favorable start in Game 2.

PSC grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Savaglio, who had reached on an error, stole second and moved to third on a ground ball from sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.).

The speedy Savaglio was plated by sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen’s sacrifice fly to left.

Conner gave Prairie State a 2-0 edge in the second when she scored, on a misplayed fly ball off the bat of freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.).

A three-run fourth and two-run fifth hurt PSC down the stretch.

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April 21, 2011
OFFENSIVE BARRAGE LIFTS PSC TO SWEEP
Fueled by a 30-hit attack over the course of two games, the Prairie State College softball team scored a pair of victories Thursday over Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference opponent Oakton.

The Pioneers (23-16, 8-2) downed the Raiders 13-10 and 19-6 in five innings in Chicago Heights.

Prairie State pounded out 14 hits in Game 1.

PSC picked up several strong efforts in the opener led by freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick's (Bloom Trail H.S.) 3-for-4, two-RBI outing.

Sophomore right fielder Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run), sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-3, RBI, run) all made major contributions.

Hensen moved to 11-7 with the victory, throwing five innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits while walking five and striking out four.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, PSC took control of the opener by scoring seven runs in the bottom half of the frame, courtesy of an RBI single by freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), run-scoring double from Fredrick and RBI single off the bat of freshman third baseman Hollie Reynolds (Lake Central H.S., Ind.).

PSC was paced by freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski's (Peotone H.S.) 3-for-5 effort with an RBI and three runs in the nightcap.

Harris (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 runs), Fredrick (2-for-3, RBI, 3 runs), Contreras (2-for-4, 4 RBI), freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.), (2-for-4, RBI, 3 runs) and freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 3 runs) all made strong contributions.

Contreras moved to 9-7 on the year from the circle, allowing just four earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out one.

The Pioneers jumped out early, thanks in part to a four-run first.

PSC took a 15-2 lead in the fourth, posting a six-run frame, highlighted by a two-run single by Savaglio and RBI single off the bat of Moriarty.

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April 20, 2011
HARRIS, HENSEN GO DEEP AS PIONEERS TAKE TWO
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill.—While it wasn't exactly an ideal day to play two, the Prairie State College softball team didn't really seem to care.

The Pioneers (21-16) hammered local nemesis South Suburban in both ends of a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.

PSC dropped the Bulldogs 13-5 in the opener before notching a 12-5 triumph in the nightcap.

While there were several strong individual efforts throughout both of the contests, the Pioneer who stood tallest, from an offensive standpoint, was freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.).

Harris blasted a pair of long three-run home runs to top off a 3-for-5, six-RBI afternoon in Game 2.

The 5-foot-7 Harris' first round-tripper was a second-inning opposite-field shot over the right-field fence, giving PSC a 6-2 lead. Her second tater was a fifth-inning bomb to straight-away center that established a 12-5 advantage.

Harris wasn't the only Pioneer to go deep in Game 1 either.

Sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) clubbed the first big fly of her collegiate career in the first inning.

Hensen's long ball was a two-run shot down the line in right.

For the game, the left-handed Hensen went 1-for-4 with three runs and a walk.

Freshman starting pitcher Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) turned in a tremendous all-around outing in the nightcap, earning her third win of the year, courtesy of a complete-game effort from the circle.

The 5-foot-6 Savaglio surrendered only two earned runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking one.

At the plate, the speedy Savaglio, who came into Wednesday's action hitting .402 on the year, more than aided her own cause, posting a 4-for-5 contest from the leadoff spot, with three runs and three steals.

Savaglio's three swipes also upped her season total to a team-leading 12.

Sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (3-for-5, 2 RBI, run, double), sophomore center fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 runs) and sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (3-for-4, walk) all made major contributions.

Hensen also delivered in Game 1, setting the tone for well-rounded performances by Prairie State pitchers.

The southpaw took the ball in the opener and earned her team-best 10th win of the campaign. Hensen went the distance, surrendering three earned runs on 11 hits while fanning a career-high 11.

Hensen also leads the Pioneers' pitching staff with 63 strikeouts.

In addition to Hensen, PSC picked up a strong effort from freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.). The 5-foot-5 Marganski went 3-for-4 with three RBIs 2 runs, a double and stolen base.

Conner (2-for-2, RBI, run, 2 walks, stolen base) and Moriarty (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs, walk) also swung the bat well.

PSC broke Game 1 open courtesy of a nine-run fifth frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Moriarty, Conner and freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.).

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April 17, 2011
MARGANSKI HELPS LEAD PIONEERS IN SPLIT WITH BLACK HAWK
Despite pounding out 28 hits over the course of two games Sunday, the Prairie State College softball team was only able to garner one win, splitting a doubleheader with visiting Black Hawk in Chicago Heights.

The Pioneers claimed an 18-10, six-inning triumph in the opener before falling 9-3 in the nightcap.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) had herself a Game 1 for the ages, going 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and three runs.

Marganski's two bombs, which cleared the fence in right-center and dead-center fields respectively, accounted for her team-leading third and fourth round-trippers of the season.

In addition to Marganski, the Pioneers also received a big effort from freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (3-for-4, RBI, 3 runs, 2 doubles).

Freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.), (3-for-4, 3 RBI), freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.), (3-for-4, 2 RBI), freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and freshman third baseman Hollie Reynolds (Lake Central H.S., Ind.), (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs) all made strong contributions in the opener.

PSC (19-16) used a seven-run fifth, highlighted by RBI singles from Harris and Mancha.

The Pioneers closed Game 1 out in the sixth, tallying six times to take the 18-10 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen, who won the game in relief, ended the contest with an RBI groundout, giving Prairie State an eight-run advantage after five innings.

Trailing 9-1 in Game 2, the Pioneers tallied a pair late, courtesy of an RBI-groundout from Savaglio and run-scoring single off the bat of sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras.

Reynolds was the lone Pioneer to collect multiple hits in the nightcap, going 2-for-3 with a run.

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April 14, 2011
PIONEERS SUFFER FIRST CONFERENCE SETBACKS OF SEASON
SUGAR GROVE, Ill.—The Prairie State College softball team was hoping to walk off the field at Waubonsee on Thursday with a perfect 8-0 mark and in sole possession of first place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

The Pioneers (18-15, 6-2) dropped both ends of their doubleheader with conference front-runner Waubonsee 2-1 and 14-0 in five innings.

With the two losses, PSC dropped to third in the league standings.

PSC scored its only run of the twin bill in the first inning when freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) rifled an RBI double to left-center, scoring sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), who had lined a two-out double to left, just one hitter earlier.

The only other Pioneers’ to register hits in Game 1 were sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (1-for-3, double) and freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (1-for-2).

PSC’s hitters struggled to make solid contact in the nightcap and were only able to manage one hit.

Freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.) laced a one-out single to left in the third inning.

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April 12, 2011
PSC RALLIES TWICE, SCORES TWO DRAMATIC WINS
Nothing seems to faze the Prairie State College softball team these days.

Down 3-0 in Game 1?  Not a problem.

How about a 7-2 second-inning deficit in Game 2? No sweat.

The Pioneers overcame exactly those odds Tuesday afternoon and earned themselves a well-deserved 12-4, 18-10 doubleheader sweep of Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Lake County in Chicago Heights.

With the wins, PSC (18-13) moved to 6-0 in conference play and has already won four more games than it did during the entire 2010 campaign.

Prairie State picked up a slew of outstanding individual efforts in the opener.

Sophomore second baseman Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) turned in a 3-for-3 outing with three RBIs, two runs and a walk.

Freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (2-for-4, run, stolen base), sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, triple), sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-3, 3 RBIs, run, double, walk, stolen base), sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 runs, double, triple, walk) and freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.), (1-for-3, 2 RBIs, run) all contributed heavily as well.

Hensen also delivered a solid day from the circle, working six innings while surrendering four runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout to earn her seventh win of the year.

Trailing 3-0 after one, the Pioneers constructed a four-run second frame and never looked back. A two-run triple by Contreras proved to be the big hit of the inning.

PSC threw another four-run frame on the board in the third while adding another run in the fourth and three more in the sixth.

Moriarty closed the scoring with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth, giving PSC an eight-run lead after five innings, thus ending the contest.

Trailing 7-2 in the nightcap, the Pioneers went to work in the fifth, exploding to tally six times in the frame, with all of the scoring coming after two were out.

The biggest highlight of the inning came courtesy of freshman third baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.). 

The 5-foot-7 Harris ripped a first-pitch offering over the right-center field fence for a two-run home run; her first of the year.

Harris finished the day with a 3-for-5, five-RBI nightcap.

Lake County regained the lead at 10-8 in their half of the fifth, but the Pioneers showed they weren’t quite ready to pack up their bats.

PSC sent 11 hitters to the plate and produced a 10-run sixth, highlighted by a pair of two-run doubles by Hensen and freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Beecher H.S.) to effectively close out the contest.

Marganski (4-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 2 doubles), Savaglio (4-for-5, RBI, 3 runs), Moriarty (2-for-5, RBI, 2 runs) and freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.), (2-for-2, RBI, 2 runs) all made major contributions in Game 2.

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April 11, 2011
PIONEERS' STREAK COMES TO A CLOSE
Despite a strong effort in each contest, the Prairie State College softball team saw its eight-game winning streak come to a close Monday afternoon in Chicago Heights.

The Pioneers (16-13) dropped both ends of their non-conference doubleheader with NJCAA No.3 DuPage by final counts of 5-3 and 8-5.

Prairie State received a strong Game 1 from freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 stolen bases).

Sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (1-for-4, run), freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), (1-for-3, RBI), sophomore right fielder Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (1-for-3, RBI, run) and Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.), (1-for-3, double) all made solid contributions.

Game 1 proved to be a major heart-breaker for PSC, as the Pioneers lost their grasp on a 3-1 seventh-inning lead.

Marganski jump-started PSC's scoring in the fourth when she tied the game with an RBI single to right-center.

Prairie State tallied another pair in the sixth when Moriarty laced a run-scoring safety to center, scoring sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.).

Freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) then drove home Moriarty, courtesy of an error on DuPage's center fielder.

The Chaparral's plated four runs in the seventh to eventually take the contest.

PSC fell behind 3-0 early in the nightcap before grabbing a run back in the third when freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.) scored when a ball off the bat of Contreras was again mishandled by DuPage's center fielder.

Trailing 8-1 after five, PSC launched a two-out, three-run rally, spearheaded by a Mancha run-scoring single.

Freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.) drove home Conner, later in the frame, courtesy of an error on the Chaparral's third baseman. Moriarty followed Fredrick's good fortune with an RBI single of her own.

PSC closed its scoring in the seventh when Savaglio motored home from first on an RBI safety from Contreras.

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April 7, 2011
PIONEERS MOVE TO 4-0 IN CONFERENCE PLAY
Last year McHenry brought the Prairie State College softball team's season to an abrupt end, delivering the Pioneers a knockout blow in the playoffs.

Thursday afternoon provided a chance for redemption.

And this time it was the Pioneers who were standing tall when the dust settled.

PSC upended the Chiefs 10-2 in six innings and 5-2 in both ends of an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheader in blustery Chicago Heights.

PSC (16-11, 4-0) picked up a plethora of strong efforts in the opener.

Sophomore first baseman Samantha Conreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) turned in a stellar Game 1 performance, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs. The left-handed hitting Contreras came into Thursday's game with a .420 batting average.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs), freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 runs) both contributed heavily to the Pioneers' attack.

In the circle, sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) moved her season mark to 7-5 with a complete game effort in which she surrendered just one earned run on six scattered hits and two strikeouts.

The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of an RBI single off the bat of sophomore right fielder Jaleesha Conner.

PSC took a 5-2 lead in the third when freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) drove home Marganski with an RBI single of her own.

Contreras' second two-run double of the contest highlighted a three-run fourth frame for the Pioneers.

With PSC leading 9-2 in the sixth, the Pioneers achieved an eight-run lead after five innings when Marganski launched her second home run of the year, a massive blast over the left-center field fence, to end the game.

Game 2 turned out to be a little tougher.

Contreras turned in another strong outing in Game 2, going 2-for-4 with two runs. She also took the ball in the circle and kept the Chiefs off balance for most of the nightcap, firing seven solid innings while allowing only one earned run on six hits with a walk and three punchouts.

The Pioneers also picked up solid efforts in the second game from Harris (2-for-4, run), Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.), (2-for-4) and Marganski (1-for-3, RBI, run).

With the score knotted at two in the seventh the Pioneers plated a trio of runs, thanks in part to RBI singles by Fredrick and freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.).

Contreras finished off the Chiefs in order in their half of the seventh.

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April 5, 2011
MARGANSKI, CONNER HELP PIONEERS PERSEVERE, SWEEP SOUTH SUBURBAN
It was certainly a tale of two games Tuesday afternoon for the Prairie State College softball team.

The Pioneers (14-11) easily handled local rival South Suburban, 11-3 in just five innings in Game 1 of the two team's non-conference doubleheader in Chicago Heights.

Game 2 was a completely different story however.

Displaying a never-say-die attitude, PSC had to gather up every ounce of grit and determination it could muster to overcome a 7-0 second-inning deficit, en route to a dramatic 9-8 walk-off triumph over the Bulldogs in the nightcap.

As far as Prairie State's offensive attack was concerned, the star of the day was sophomore center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.).

For the afternoon, Marganski went a combined 6-for-8 over the course of the two games, driving in four runs and scoring four runs.

In Game 1, Marganski turned in a perfect 4-for-4 effort with four RBIs and three runs.

Marganski ripped a two-run single in the fourth and two-run double in the fifth.

Sophomore shortstop Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) also had herself a stellar opener, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two doubles.

Conner ended Game 1 with an RBI double to right-center, plating Marganski with the contest's 11th run, which brought the contest to a halt because it gave the Pioneers an eight-run advantage after five innings.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) went 2-for-3 in Game 1 with three runs and an RBI.

Hensen also did her job from the circle, going the distance to earn her sixth win of the year.

In her five innings of work, the left-handed Hensen yielded just six hits while walking three and striking out nine.

Game 2 got off to an ugly start as PSC spotted the Bulldogs their 7-0 cushion.

Prairie State began to chip away in the home half of the second thanks to an RBI double off the bat of freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) and a run-scoring safety by freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.).

Following a bases-loaded walk to freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.) in the third, the Pioneers tallied four times in the fourth, tying the tilt at seven on an RBI double from the right fielder Hensen. Freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) notched a run-scoring single and sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) also delivered a two-run triple during the big frame.

Urban, who singled to lead off the seventh, eventually scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at eight. Savaglio drove home freshman third baseman Hollie Reynolds (Lake Central H.S., Ind.) with the winning run, courtesy of an infield single.

Hensen (3-for-4, RBI), Marganski (2-for-4, run), Contreras (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Savaglio (2-for-5, 2 RBI, run) all made major contributions.

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April 3, 2011
PIONEERS RUN STREAK TO FOUR IN A ROW
ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Prairie State College softball team appeared to be in midseason form following an impressive doubleheader sweep of Rock Valley Sunday afternoon.

The Pioneers (12-11) took Game 1 by a 9-7 count before earning a 7-5 triumph in the nightcap.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) capped off a stellar week of competition with great efforts from both the plate and the circle in Sunday's games.

Hensen hoisted her season record to .500 (5-5) courtesy of a complete-game outing in Game 1. The left-hander allowed seven runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

As impressive as Hensen's overall efforts in Game 1 were, the performance of sophomore right fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) was certainly on par.

Conner hammered her way to a 3-for-4, four-RBI effort, which included a pair of doubles.

Conner clubbed a two-run double in the first inning, an RBI single in the fourth and run-scoring two-bagger in the sixth.

Sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras took the ball in Game 2 and was also equal to the task, working all seven frames while allowing five runs on nine hits while walking just one and fanning two.

Like Hensen, Contreras also swung a hot bat, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.

Sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) went 2-for-3 in the nightcap with two runs.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) also had a strong day, going one for four with two RBIs, a run and stolen base.

Marganski also made some noise with her glove, recording four putouts and an assist.

The Pioneers plated a trio of first-inning tallies thanks in part to an RBI double off the bat of Contreras.

Contreras also keyed a three-run second frame with an RBI single.

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March 31, 2011
PLENTY OF POSITIVES FOR PSC IN CONFERENCE OPENER
ELGIN, Ill. — Strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting were the themes of the day Thursday afternoon for the Prairie State College softball team.

The Pioneers (10-11, 2-0) opened their 2011 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference slate with a plethora of positives, resulting in 8-6 and 4-3 victories over host Elgin at the Elgin Sports Complex.

The two wins were especially sweet when considering they came in the aftermath of a 10-2, five-inning loss and 5-4, 11-inning setback to Joliet just 24 hours earlier.

The Pioneers had several strong efforts in Game 1 as sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) led the way with a 2-for-4 game, which included three RBIs.

Freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) entered Thursday’s action with a .421 batting average and didn’t disappoint, going 2-for-4 with  a pair of RBIs.

Sophomore left-hander Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), fresh off of a 10-inning outing on Wednesday, took the ball again in Game 1 and again went the distance, allowing six runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts. With the win, Hensen improved her season record to 4-5.

Trailing 3-0 after two innings, the Pioneers took back a pair in the third, scoring twice thanks to a throwing error by the Spartans’ catcher and an RBI double by Contreras.

A bases-loaded walk to freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.) and run-scoring single off the bat of Savaglio gave the Pioneers a 5-4 lead.

Contreras cleared the bases with a two-run triple in the sixth.

Sophomore right fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), who came into Thursday’s contests with a team-best .426 batting average, tallied PSC’s final run in the seventh, courtesy of a single by freshman catcher Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.).

Contreras worked from the circle in Game 2 and moved to 5-4 on the year with a high-quality start of her own. The 5-foot-4 southpaw also went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits while fanning two.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), (2-for-3, RBI, run), Conner (1-for-2, double, walk) and Hensen (1-for-3) were PSC’s hitting stars in the nightcap.

The Pioneers took a 3-0 lead in the third thanks to RBI singles by sophomore second baseman Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) and Marganski as well as a ground ball off the bat of Hensen that was misplayed by Elgin’s second baseman.

Freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.) also scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.

Hensen closed out the contest with a three-pitch seventh.

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March 30, 2011
PIONEERS FIGHT HARD, FALL JUST SHORT
JOLIET, Ill. — Winners of its last three games, the Prairie State College softball team was well aware that Joliet’s 2-9 record coming into Wednesday’s non-conference doubleheader was most certainly deceiving.

The Wolves had narrowly fallen several times to some of the nation’s best on their recent spring trip to Tennessee.

Knowing that the Wolves were no pushover, the Pioneers still weren’t able to score a win, dropping both ends of the twin bill, despite a strong effort.

PSC (8-11) suffered a 10-2 five-inning defeat in Game 1 before embarking on a marathon second contest which resulted in a 5-4, 11-inning PSC setback.

Even though they fell short on the scoreboard, PSC still received several strong individual efforts in Game 1 as sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-3), sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-3) and sophomore infielder Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (0-2, RBI) all made contributions.

Prairie State cut the Wolves’ lead to 4-1 when freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) scored on a Joliet third-inning infield error.

Trailing 9-1 in the fourth, PSC plated its final run when third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) punched a leadoff single to right field and advanced to third when the Wolves’ right fielder misplayed the ball.

Moriarty then lifted a long sacrifice fly to left, scoring Conner.

Hensen turned in a blue-collar effort from the circle in Game 2, working 10.2 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

After allowing Joliet to knot the score at four in the seventh, Hensen shut Joliet down for the next 3.2 innings, before surrendering Nicole Rivera’s game-winning hit in the 11th.

Several Pioneers shined at the plate in Game 2, led by freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski’s (Peotone H.S.) 3-for-6 effort which included a run and stolen base.

Moriarty continued to contribute in the nightcap as well, driving in a pair courtesy of a 2-for-2 showing which included a walk.

Savaglio (2-for-6, run) and freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.), (2-for-4, RBI, run) also played well.

The Pioneers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third when Urban, who had singled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by the Wolves’ catcher.

Joliet took a 3-1 lead in the fourth before PSC roared back, plating a pair courtesy of an RBI single by Moriarty and fielder’s choice off the bat of Urban.

The Pioneers took a 4-3 lead in the seventh when Savaglio trotted home thanks to another run-scoring single by Moriarty.

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March 27, 2011
PIONEERS CLOSE OUT SPRING TRIP ON HIGH NOTE
COCOA, Fla. — Following two solid wins over Jefferson Community College (NY) on Saturday, the Prairie State College softball team was more than willing to hand the Cannoneers another setback Sunday, delivering a 6-3 loss to their opponent from Watertown, NY.

Prairie State (8-9) picked up another strong pitching performance from sophomore left-hander Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.).

Contreras worked five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out five.

Fellow sophomore southpaw Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) tossed the final two frames, shutting the Cannoneers down while surrendering just one hit en route to her first save of the year.

PSC also picked up several solid efforts at the plate, led by sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner’s 2-for-3 outing, which included a run and RBI.

Freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.) also swung a hot bat, posting a 2-for-3 afternoon with a pair of runs.

Contreras (2-for-4, run, RBI), freshman second baseman Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (2-for-3) and Hensen (1-for-3, RBI, run, double) also played well.

Jefferson held a 3-0, third-inning lead before the Pioneers cut that advantage to 3-2 in their half of the third, courtesy of a Jefferson throwing error and RBI groundout off the bat of freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.).

PSC took command of the contest in the fifth, plating three runs on five hits.

Highlights of the big frame included an RBI double from Hensen, run-scoring groundout by freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) and RBI safety from Conner.

The Pioneers plated their final tally in the sixth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Contreras.

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March 26, 2011
CONTRERAS, HENSEN HELP DELIVER SWEEP
COCOA, Fla. — Prairie State College sophomore pitchers Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) both displayed the poise and moxie in the circle that their coaches and teammates would expect from a pair of veterans Saturday morning.

Both Hensen and Contreras turned in solid efforts in each of their respective starts against Jefferson Community College (NY).

The Pioneers (7-9) won behind Hensen and a 14-6 margin in Game 1 before Contreras buckled down and came out on top in a 2-1 pitcher’s duel in the nightcap.

Hensen (2-4) went the distance (6 innings), allowing six runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

She also contributed at the plate, driving in a pair of runs with a ringing double in the fifth inning.

Prairie State also picked up big efforts from sophomore right fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs), sophomore second baseman Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 RBI), freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 RBI), freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 runs) and freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), (1-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 runs, HR).

The Pioneers took control of the game with back-to-back four-run frames in both the fourth and fifth innings.

In the fifth, Marganski launched a long, two-run homer.

Contreras was in control of Game 2 from the opening pitch.

For the day, the 5-foot-4 left-hander went the distance, allowing a run on two hits while walking three and fanning a season-high 13.

Contreras did her part at the plate, driving in both of the Pioneers’ runs to aide her own cause en route to a 2-for-4 showing.

Contreras doubled home PSC’s first run in the opening inning before driving home freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) in the third.

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March 23, 2011
PIONEERS FALL TO TOMPKINS CORTLAND
CHAIN OF LAKES, Fla. — Having already faced Tompkins Cortland earlier in the week, the Prairie State College softball team was hoping to upend the Panthers twice in a Wednesday doubleheader.

Unfortunately, that plan didn’t work out as the Pioneers (5-9) dropped both ends of the twin bill 6-5 and 10-0.

In the opener, PSC picked up strong efforts from freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (3-for-4, RBI) and freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs).

Freshman third baseman Hollie Reynolds (Lake Central H.S., Ind.) also drove in a pair in Game 1.

The Pioneers held a 3-0 lead early in the contest, thanks in part to a three-run second frame. A misplayed ground ball off the bat of Reynolds, infield groundout by freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.) and RBI single from Savaglio accounted for the runs.

PSC also scored twice in the third, courtesy of an RBI double by Harris and RBI groundout from Reynolds.

The Pioneers were only able to muster one base runner in Game 2.

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March 22, 2011
PIONEERS TAKE TWO FROM SOUTHERN MAINE
ORLANDO, Fla. — Following a split against Tompkins Cortland on Monday, the Prairie State College softball team was primed and ready to take a pair from Southern Maine Tuesday.

That mission was accomplished.

The Pioneers (5-7) took both ends of their double header in fine fashion, downing Southern Maine 3-2 and 12-4.

PSC received a sterling effort in the circle from sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) in the opener.

The left-handed Contreras went the distance, tossing seven solid innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out four.

At the plate, freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) went 2-for-3 and freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.) 2-for-3.

The Pioneers tallied the go-ahead run in the sixth when freshman third baseman Hollie Reynolds (Lake Central H.S., Ind.) drove home sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), courtesy of an RBI ground out.

Sophomore left-hander Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) took the ball in Game 2 and didn’t disappoint, going the distance and fanning seven while surrendering four runs on nine hits.

Hensen also posted an admirable effort at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and runs.

Hensen wasn’t the only Pioneer to post a strong nightcap as freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (3-for-4, 3 runs), sophomore left fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (3-for-5, 2 runs) and Contreras (1-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) all contributed.

Prairie State blew the game open in the middle frames, tallying a three-run inning in the third and four-run inning in the fourth.

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March 21, 2011
PIONEERS SPLIT PAIR WITH TOMPKINS CORTLAND
COCOA, Fla. — After dropping the first two games of its spring trip on Sunday, the Prairie State College softball team rebounded nicely Monday, splitting a doubleheader with Tompkins Cortland.

The Pioneers (3-7) dropped the opener by a 15-8 count before earning an 11-6 triumph in the nightcap.

Despite the loss, Prairie State still received a trio of solid performances in Game 1 as freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.), (2-for-5, run), freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), (2-for-4, RBI, run) and freshman third baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, run) all turned in solid performances.

Savaglio took the ball in Game 2 and went the distance, surrendering six runs on 11 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Marganski delivered a solid performance at the plate in the nightcap, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs.

Savaglio also helped her own cause, going 3-for-4 with four runs while Harris posted a 2-for-3 effort with a pair of RBIs and a run.

Sophomore left fielder Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

The Pioneers blew the game wide open in the fourth, posting a five-run frame courtesy of RBI singles by sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), Harris and Marganski.

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March 20, 2011
PIONEERS OPEN FLORIDA TRIP WITH PAIR OF LOSSES
COCOA, Fla. — The Prairie State College softball team was unable to garner a win Sunday, falling twice to in-state adversary DuPage 4-3 in eight innings and 9-1 in the nightcap.

The Pioneers (2-6) picked up a pair of solid efforts in the opener from sophomore first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.).

Contreras turned in a 2-for-3 outing with an RBI while Savaglio went 1-for-4 and drove in a run.

PSC took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when Contreras and Savaglio both notched run-scoring singles.

After DuPage had tied the game in the fifth, the contest carried on into extra innings.

With the score still deadlocked at 2-all, the international tie-breaker was put into effect.

PSC took a 3-2 lead in the eighth, when freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) was placed at second base to begin the inning.

Marganski was then driven home courtesy of an RBI double off the bat of sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.).

DuPage tallied a pair in the home half of the frame to claim the contest.

PSC received a pair of sound efforts in the nightcap as well as freshman shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.), (2-for-2, run) and sophomore outfielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-3, RBI) both aided the cause.

The Pioneers scored their lone run of the contest in the third when Hensen plated Moriarty with an RBI single.

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March 16, 2011
CONNER’S EFFORT NOT ENOUGH AS PIONEERS GET TRIPPED UP BY TRITON
MELROSE PARK, Ill. — Prairie State College sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.) swung a hot bat Wednesday afternoon, but it in the end it just wasn’t enough as the Pioneers dropped a non-conference doubleheader with host Triton.

The Pioneers (2-4) fell in a hard-fought 10-9, eight-inning affair in Game 1 before being upended 8-3 in the nightcap.

Conner turned in her most impressive effort of the young season Wednesday, going 5-for-7 over the course of the two games.

Conner went 2-for-4 with two runs in Game 1 before swinging her way to a perfect 3-for-3, three-RBI effort, which included a double and a triple, in Game 2.

Trailing 8-3 after five innings in the opener, the Pioneers went to work, scoring three times in the sixth.

Freshman second baseman Danielle Fredrick (Bloom Trail H.S.) made it an 8-4 contest with an RBI-groundout before an infield error forced by freshman catcher Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.), resulted in two runs.

PSC tied the game in the seventh when a two-out ground ball by Fredrick was misplayed by Triton’s first baseman, allowing freshman first baseman Jordyn Harris (Beecher H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Lisa Moriarty (Mother McAuley H.S.) to scamper home to knot the game at eight.

The Pioneers took a 9-8 lead in the eighth when sophomore first baseman/pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood Flossmoor H.S.), who had tripled to lead off the inning, tagged up and raced home following a sacrifice fly to right field off the bat of freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.).

Triton finally claimed the tilt in the home half of the eighth.

Contreras (2-for-3, 2 runs, triple, stolen base), Moriarty (2-for-3, 3 runs), sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-5), Harris (2-for-5, 2 runs) and Marganski (1-for-4, 2 RBI) all had solid openers.

Conner drove in all three of PSC’s runs in Game 2, belting an RBI-triple in the fifth and two-run double in the seventh.

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March 13, 2011
PIONEERS TAKE TWO FROM HARPER
Fueled by a strong performance from freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.), the Prairie State College softball team avenged a season-opening two-game sweep at the hands of Ancilla Saturday, taking both ends of a double-header with Harper Sunday afternoon in Chicago Heights.

The Pioneers (2-2) earned an 11-3, six-inning win in Game 1 before upending Harper 12-3 in a five-inning nightcap.

Marganski proved to be a five-tool player in both contests, making contributions on the basepaths, at the plate and in the field.

The 5-foot-5 Marganski went 3-for-4 in Game 1 with three stolen bases, an RBI and run before producing a 3-for-3 outing (which including two triples) with 2 RBIs and two runs in the second contest.

Sophomore right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) also performed well in the opener, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run.

Freshman second baseman Danielle Frederick (Bloom Trail H.S.) also turned in a solid first game, swinging her way to a 3-for-4 day with two runs.

Sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) (1-1) earned the win from the circle in Game 1, going the distance while allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Leading 4-2 in the fifth inning, Marganski helped the Pioneers blow the game open with an RBI single in a seven-run frame.

Hensen recorded the walk-off hit with a two-out, two-run single to left.

The Pioneers also received several strong efforts in addition to Marganski in the nightcap as sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Conner (Simeon H.S.), (2-for-3, RBI, 2 runs), Contreras (2-for-3, 2 runs, double) and freshman left fielder Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.) (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, run) all performed well.

Henson took the ball in the nightcap and picked her first win of the campaign, going five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while fanning a pair.

PSC used a nine-run fourth, highlighted by a two-run single by Mancha, to take a 12-2 advantage.

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March 12, 2011
PIONEERS FALL IN SEASON-OPENING TWIN BILL
DONALDSON, Ind. — The Prairie State College softball team opened its season with a pair of losses Saturday afternoon, dropping both ends of a double header to Ancilla.

The Pioneers (0-2) fell 13-5 in the opener and 8-0 in five innings in the nightcap.

Despite the two losses, the Pioneers still had several solid performances in Game 1.

Freshman center fielder Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.) went 3-for-3 in Game 1 with a run while shortstop Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.) turned in a 2-for-4 effort in with an RBI and run.

Sophomore third baseman Jaleesha Connor (Simeon H.S.) went 2-for-3 with a stolen base while sophomore pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the second when Savaglio and Contreras both recorded RBI singles.

PSC plated a pair of runs in the sixth, thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Contreras.

PSC was only able to muster two hits in the nightcap as Savaglio and Contreras both recorded hits.

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PIONEERS AT THE NEXT LEVEL
The following 2009-2010 Prairie State College softball players are currently attending four-year institutions. 

• Samantha Contreras – Eastern Illinois University
• Kristen Hensen – University of Illinois at Chicago
• Jaleesha Conner - Kentucky State University
• Lisa Moriarty – North Park University

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