2010-2011 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 2010 semester:
- IF/OF Andrea Marganski (Peotone H.S.)
- IF/OF Lisa Moriarity (Mother McAuley H.S.)
- IF Candice Fillicetti (Crete-Monee H.S.)
- IF/OF Caitlyn Kljajic (Calumet H.S., Ind.)
- OF Patricia Sutliff (Crete-Monee H.S.)
- OF Kelsey Urban (Crete-Monee H.S.)
- 2B Danielle Frederick (Bloom Trail H.S.)
- P/INF Nina Savaglio (Bloom H.S.)
- OF Mia Mancha (Crete-Monee H.S.)
July 28, 2010
PSC SOFTBALL TEAM TO HOST OPEN TRYOUT
The Prairie State College softball team will hold an open tryout Sunday, Aug. 29 on the PSC softball field, which is located in the Pioneer Recreation and Sports Park.
Tryouts are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
All participants must have a physical on file and be enrolled full-time for the fall semester.
Participants are also responsible for bringing their own equipment (gloves, spikes, bats).
Marty Mears is the Pioneers’ head coach.
For additional information, contact the Prairie State College Athletic Department (708) 709-7837 or e-mail mmears@prairiestate.edu.
June 2, 2010
RECORD 16 PIONEERS EARN THEIR WAY ONTO SKYWAY ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Making a commitment to their academic responsibilities should be a top priority for any collegiate athlete.
The Prairie State College Athletic Department was pleased to learn recently that several of its student-athletes feel the same, proving so by taking care of business in the classroom in a big way.
A record 16 Pioneers on seven teams were named to the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Academic Team during the 2009-10 school year.
Since 2005, Prairie State has seen an increase every year in the number of student-athletes selected to the conference’s all-academic team.
PSC placed 13 student-athletes on the team following the 2008-09 academic calender.
All 16 Pioneers posted grade point averages higher than 3.0 and have accumulated at least 48 semester hours.
Five baseball players were honored with selections as sophomores Adam Boyer (Reavis H.S.), Joe Florek (Curie H.S.), Nick Gross (Andrew H.S.) and Ryan O’Connor (Andrew H.S.) all made the team. Freshman Scotty Smith (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) was tabbed as well.
Freshman Jeremiah Hernandez (Bloom Township H.S.) of the men’s cross country and soccer teams was also selected as was freshman Francisco Mendez (Bloom Township H.S.) of the men’s cross country team.
Sophomore Lior Avisor (Yehud, Israel) of the men’s soccer team also made the squad, in addition to freshmen Nicolle Trujillo (Bloom Township H.S.) and Jessica Walker (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) of the women’s soccer team.
Sophomore Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) of the softball team and Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) of both the softball and women’s basketball teams were also selected.
Prairie State’s men’s tennis team was represented by freshmen Andres Martinez (Bloom Township H.S.) and Ray Wilke (Bremen H.S.).
Sophomore Porsche West (Crete-Monee H.S.) and freshman Ashley Zelek (Beecher H.S.) of the volleyball team also earned the honor.
Gross and Trujillo were Prairie State’s nominees for the Dick Durrant Award.
The Durrant Award is named in honor of legendary Elgin coach and Athletic Director, Dick Durrant and is presented to the male and female athlete in the Skyway Conference who attains the highest grade point average after completing four semesters of college work and at least 48 semester hours of credit.
May 17, 2010
BAUMGARTNER SELECTED TO ALL-REGION IV SQUAD
After turning in a tremendous overall campaign, Prairie State College sophomore Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) was recently selected to the NJCAA All-Region IV first team.
Baumgartner, who split time at both catcher and shortstop this spring, slugged her way to a team-high batting average of .401 with 63 hits and an on base percentage of .436 in 49 games.
The 5-foot-6 Baumgartner also drove in 36 runs while tallying 21 doubles and three triples.
Baumgartner, who closed out her sophomore season in the midst of a 15-game hitting streak, posted her most impressive individual effort of the year in a 14-10 win over Morton on April 8. In that contest Baumgartner went 3-for-3 with six RBIs and three runs.
Baumgartner went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two doubles in a 10-2 win over Triton on March 17 and 4-for-5 with three RBIs, three runs and two doubles in a 13-9 win over St. Joseph’s March 25.
Prairie State’s leading hitter posted 20 multiple-hit games in 2010 and put together a string of six-straight games with at least two hits from April 15 - 22.
Baumgartner was a force defensively as well, playing two of the most demanding positions on the diamond while securing a fielding percentage of .934.
Prairie State finished the season with a 14-35 overall record.
May 15, 2010
PIONEERS PLACE FIVE ON ALL-SKYWAY TEAM
After a season full of hard work and determination, the Prairie State College softball team recently received word that five of its players have been awarded for their efforts with selections to the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference team.
Sophomore catcher/shortstop Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) and freshman right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) all made the first team while freshman infielder/pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and sophomore infielder/pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) were tabbed to the second team.
Baumgartner, who also garnered all-conference accolades last year, batted a robust .435 in Skyway action with 13 RBIs, five doubles, three triples and 12 runs. She also turned in a stellar .965 fielding percentage, spending most of her time behind the plate while also logging several innings at shortstop.
“Sam was just outstanding both defensively and offensively for us this year,” PSC head coach Marty Mears said. “She’s actually a natural shortstop and ended up playing out of position and catching for us most of this year and she did a great job. She was also a great leader and a tireless worker.”
Lones, also a two-time all-conference pick, in addition to covering a wide range of ground in the middle of the outfield with relative ease, hit .357 in league play with nine RBIs, 12 runs, two doubles and a triple. The fleet-footed Lones also posted a fielding percentage of .963, committing only one error in 26 chances.
“Linnea was the anchor of our defense out there,” Mears said. “In conference play, especially this year, she was a reliable and solid hitter for us. She was also a great leader both on and off the field.”
Hensen scalded the ball at a .452 clip in conference play, driving in 10 runs while scoring seven.
“Kristen was a great clutch hitter for us,” Mears said. “She really came up with some big hits.”
Contreras went 2-0 from the circle in Skyway play, posting an ERA of 3.78 while striking out 14 and surrendering just 11 earned runs in 20.1 innings. The 5-foot-3 lefty swung the bat to the tune of a .278 average with 10 runs and two doubles in league games.
“Samantha played every position but catcher for us this year and she’s a lefty,” Mears said. “She also pitched extremely well, and we’ll need her to step up and really contribute again for us next year.”
Two-time all-conference pick Harte went 3-2 as a pitcher with 23 strikeouts and a 2.37 ERA, allowing a minuscule seven earned runs in 20.2 innings of work.
At the plate, Harte also chipped in, batting .256 with seven RBIs and 12 runs.
“Andrea also played out of position this year as she’s normally a pitcher and she had to play shortstop,” Mears said. “She was someone that we really were able to rely on.”
This is the second straight year that the Pioneers have landed five on the all-conference squad.
Prairie State finished the 2010 campaign with a 14-35 overall record.
May 4, 2010
PRAIRIE STATE SEASON COMES TO END FOLLOWING REGION IV LOSS
CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The Prairie State College softball team saw its season come to an abrupt end Tuesday as the Pioneers dropped the first two games of a potential three-game set with host McHenry in the first round of the NJCAA Region IV playoffs.
PSC (14-35) fell by final counts of 5-1 and 9-6.
The Pioneers appeared primed and ready to force a Game 3 in the third inning of the second contest after sophomore Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) ripped a towering three-run home run over the fence in left, giving PSC a 5-4 lead.
That edge didn’t last long however as McHenry stormed back to tie the game at five in the fourth before plating four more in the fifth.
The Pioneers tallied their final run of the year in the fifth when Newhuis belted an RBI single to left.
In addition to Newhuis, sophomore pitcher/third baseman Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) all record two hits in Game 2.
Harte delivered PSC’s lone run of Game 1 when she lifted a long solo homer to left.
Baumgartner collected a pair of hits in the first game as well.
Newhuis, freshman right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), sophomore second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.) and freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) were the only other Pioneers to tally hits in Game 1.
April 30, 2010
PIONEERS FALL TO NO.6 KANKAKEE
The Prairie State College softball team was unable to record a win on “Sophomore Day” Friday, falling in its regular season finale to nationally-ranked Kankakee 8-0 and 14-2 in a non-conference doubleheader in Chicago Heights.
Between games of the twinbill, the Pioneers (14-33) honored second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.), catcher Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.), shortstop Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), pitcher Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.), shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) and center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) as all seven second-year players were participating in their last regular season home games.
PSC tallied its only runs of the day in the first inning of Game 2 as Harte and freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti both registered RBI singles.
Harte went 2-for-3 in Game 1.
April 24, 2010
DECKARD’S HEROICS GO FOR NAUGHT IN SWEEP
MALTA, Ill. — Prairie State College sophomore catcher Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to launch her first two home runs of the year.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough though as the Pioneers dropped both ends of a non-conference twinbill with Kishwaukee by final counts of 18-1 in five innings and 7-6 in eight innings, Saturday.
PSC (14-31) fought hard in Game 2, but was unable to secure a win.
Trailing 5-3 in the seventh inning, Deckard led off the frame with her first round-tripper of the year, a mammoth shot that easily cleared the left-field fence.
The Pioneers would tie the contest later in the inning when sophomore pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) scorched an RBI single to left, plating freshman left fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.).
PSC took a 6-5 lead in the eighth when Deckard hammered another solo shot to left, this time with two out.
Kishwaukee fought back to earn the walk-off win in the bottom half of the inning.
In addition to Deckard, who finished the nightcap 3-for-4, with 2 RBIs and two runs, Harte also turned in a fine effort, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs a run and two doubles.
Sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.), (2-for-5, RBI) and sophomore shortstop Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-5, double) both put forth strong efforts in the second game.
PSC registered just five hits in the opener.
The Pioneers plated their only run of Game 1 in the third inning when Baumgartner’s single to left brought home sophomore second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.).
April 22, 2010
PIONEERS SWEPT BY LOCAL FOE
The Prairie State College softball team wasn’t able to keep the good vibes of Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep of Rock Valley alive for very long, falling Thursday to Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Moraine Valley, 12-6 and 9-1 in Chicago Heights.
The Pioneers (14-29, 6-8) fell behind 6-0 after two innings in Game 1 but fought back to make it a 6-3 contest in the home half of the second. The highlight of the inning was an RBI triple to right-center off the bat of sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.).
PSC pulled to within 7-6 in the fourth thanks to an RBI single from sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and a two-run triple to right by sophomore infielder Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.).
Moraine Valley would tack on two more runs in the fifth and three in the sixth.
Lones (2-for-4, run, RBI), freshman infielder Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-3, run), Baumgartner (2-for-4, RBI, run), Rozema (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) and freshman infielder/pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (2-for-4, run) all played well in Game 1.
The Pioneers scored their only run of the nightcap in the third when Contreras, who had singled, raced around to score on Baumgartner’s triple to right.
Contreras was the only PSC hitter to record a multi-hit game in the nightcap, going 2-for-3.
Lones, Hensen and sophomore pitcher/infielder Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) recorded Prairie State’s other hits.
April 21, 2010
PIONEERS EARN SWEEP
Bouncing back from adversity has been a recurring theme for the Prairie State College softball team this season.
Wednesday was no exception.
The Pioneers (14-27), after dropping a Tuesday doubleheader to Waubonsee, returned to action Wednesday, determined to take both ends of a non-conference twin bill against Rock Valley.
Thanks to several key defensive plays and a multitude of clutch hits, PSC accomplished its mission, claiming 7-6 and 13-11 triumphs in Chicago Heights.
After falling behind 4-0 in the opener, PSC erupted for a six-run second inning, highlighted by an RBI double from sophomore pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), and RBI singles by sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) and sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.).
Rock Valley tied the game at six in the fifth before sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) singled home Baumgartner in the home half.
Lones (3-for-4, 2 RBIs, run) and Baumgartner (3-for-4, RBI, run, double) both turned in three-hit efforts in Game 1.
Both teams fought back and forth in Game 2 as Rock Valley claimed an early 3-0 first-inning advantage.
Prairie State stormed back to tie the tilt in its half of the first, courtesy of a two-run double by Baumgartner and an RBI-groundout off the bat of freshman pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.).
PSC took a 6-4 lead in the second, thanks to another run-scoring safety by Baumgartner and a two-run double to left from sophomore third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.).
Rock Valley held an 11-9 edge in the sixth and that’s when the Pioneers went to work, posting a four-run sixth to take the game.
After Deckard laced an RBI single, freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.) ripped a two-out, two-RBI double to center.
Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.), who had walked earlier in the frame, also raced home on Corradetti’s line drive when it was mishandled by Rock Valley’s center fielder.
Baumgartner picked up an additional three hits in Game 2, along with three RBIs.
Freshman second baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-3, 2 runs, walk) and Corradetti (2-for-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs) also contributed.
April 20, 2010
PSC FALLS AT HOME
The Prairie State College softball team was unable to score a win Tuesday, falling to Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference rival Waubonsee by final scores of 11-1 and 10-7 in Chicago Heights.
The Pioneers (12-27, 6-6) got off to a strong start in Game 2, taking a 3-0 lead in the first courtesy of RBI singles from sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) and freshman pitcher/outfielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.).
After giving back two in the second, PSC took a 4-2 lead in the home half following a run-scoring single off the bat of sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.).
After enduring a six-run fourth, the Pioneers received an RBI safety from Hensen in the fifth.
Freshman infielder Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) singled home a run in the sixth while Deckard brought home a tally with a sacrifice fly to left.
Hensen went 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs in the nightcap.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-4, run), Contreras (2-for-4, RBI, run, walk) and Lones (2-for-5, RBI, run, double) all made strong contributions in Game 2.
Baumgartner (2-for-3, RBI, double) drove in the Pioneers’ only run of Game 1, slashing an RBI single to plate sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.).
Deckard and freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.) were the only other Pioneers to record hits in the opener.
April 15, 2010
PIONEERS SUFFER PAIR OF HEART-BREAKERS
GRAYS LAKE, Ill. — The Prairie State College softball team battled hard in both ends of an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheader Thursday, but were unable to a post a win, falling to Lake County 5-4 in eight innings and 7-6 in the nightcap.
The Pioneers (12-25, 6-4) trailed 4-1 throughout most of Game 1 before waking up their bats in the sixth inning, plating a trio of runs to tie the contest.
Sophomore third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) made it a 4-2 contest with an RBI single.
Freshman shortstop Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) then lifted a long fly ball to left which popped out of the pocket of the Lake County left fielder’s glove, allowing sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) and Rozema to score, tying the tilt.
Rozema (3-for-4, RBI, 2 runs), sophomore shortstop/pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), (2-for-4, double, triple), sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.), (2-for-4) all made strong contributions.
The Pioneers led 5-4 in Game 2 before the Lancers tied the game in the fourth
PSC took a 6-5 lead in the fifth when sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) drove home Contreras with an RBI single to right.
Rozema (3-for-3, RBI, run, double), Baumgartner (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), Contreras (2-for-4, 2 runs) and freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.), (2-for-3, run, double, stolen base) all had strong showings in the second game.
April 14, 2010
NEWHUIS FIRES SHUTOUT IN SPLIT
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. — Prairie State College sophomore pitcher Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) went the distance, turning in a brilliant 7-0 three-hit shutout of South Suburban College in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader.
The Pioneers (12-23) dropped the first game by an 8-0 count.
Newhuis struck out seven and walked only two in the nightcap.
The 5-foot-0 hurler set down nine of the first 10 hitters she faced and struck out the side in the third inning.
Prairie State blew the game open in the fourth, turning in a five-run frame, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of sophomore third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.).
Sophomore left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) also belted a solo homer in the fourth.
Rozema (2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 2 runs), Davis (2-for-3, 3 RBIs, run, stolen base) and Newhuis (1-for-2, run, double) all had strong days for the Pioneers.
Sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) and sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) collected Prairie State’s only hits of Game 1.
April 13, 2010
PIONEERS RECEIVE WELL-ROUNDED EFFORT IN SWEEP
DES PLAINES, Ill. — After dropping a disheartening 6-1 decision to McHenry in the second game of a doubleheader Monday, the Prairie State College softball team came into their Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference twinbill with Oakton on Tuesday ready to roll.
In fact, they were so ready, they ended up simply rolling the Raiders over.
Prairie State (11-22, 6-2) earned a pair of convincing five-inning wins, whitewashing Oakton by final counts of 12-0 and 17-0.
Sophomore pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) turned in one of her best outings of the year in Game 1, tossing five shutout innings while walking just one and striking out six.
In a dominating effort, Harte retired the last eight hitters she faced.
Freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) continued her solid hitting, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and a run. The 5-foot-4 Davis also ripped a three-run double in the first inning.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (2-for-2, RBI, 2 runs, walk, stolen base), sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.), (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, double) and sophomore third baseman Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.), (2-for-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 2 doubles, walk) all aided the Pioneers’ cause.
In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) matched Harte’s effort pitch-for-pitch, also spinning a shutout, allowing just four hits while walking none and fanning three.
At the plate, sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) produced a 3-for-4 day, driving in three runs while scoring two.
Newhuis also recorded another strong showing, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs. She also belted a first-inning two-run homer.
Freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a pair of runs.
The Pioneers put Game 2 away early, scoring eight times in the opening frame.
April 12, 2010
PIONEERS EARN SPLIT AT MCHENRY
CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The Prairie State College softball team made the long trek to Crystal Lake Monday and split an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheader with McHenry.
The Pioneers (9-22, 4-2) triumphed 7-4 in Game 1 before falling 6-1 in the nightcap.
Freshman pitcher Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) took the ball in the opener and delivered a fine performance, going the distance to allow just four runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts against only one walk.
Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, PSC went to work, taking a 2-1 lead thanks to RBI base hits from freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.).
The Pioneers put the game away with a five-run fifth.
The game-altering frame was highlighted by a ringing three-run double to left off the bat of freshman right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.). Davis and Contreras also teamed up to drive in the inning’s other two runs.
Davis (3-for-4, 2 RBI, run), Harte (3-for-4, RBI, run) and Hensen (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 walks) paced PSC at the plate.
After pounding out 12 hits in Game 1, PSC could only salvage three in the nightcap.
Both teams found runs hard to come by through the first five innings.
McHenry used a five-run fifth to break a scoreless deadlock and take a 5-0 advantage.
Prairie State pushed across its lone tally in the bottom of the fifth when Davis (1-for-2) ripped a shot to left, plating Hensen (1-for-1), who had walked, advanced to second on sophomore left fielder Linnea Lones’ (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) collected PSC’s other hit.
April 11, 2010
PRAIRIE STATE STUMBLES AT BLACK HAWK
MOLINE, Ill. — Black Hawk played the role of the rude host Sunday afternoon, downing the Prairie State college softball team in a non-conference doubleheader by final scores of 7-2 and 9-1.
The Pioneers (8-21) scratched out six hits in Game 1 with sophomore right fielder Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) collecting a pair in a 2-for-3 effort.
Rozema also drove home PSC’s first run with a second-inning RBI single.
The Pioneers tallied again in the sixth when sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) ripped an RBI triple to left, scoring freshman designated player Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.).
Hensen, sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman third baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) picked up Prairie State’s other hits in the opener.
The hits were also scattered in Game 2 as Prairie State once again collected six.
Baumgartner drove in sophomore outfielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) with a run-scoring safety in the third.
Baumgartner picked up two hits in the nightcap.
Lones, sophomore infielder Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.), sophomore pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) and freshman infielder Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) registered the other hits in Game 2.
April 9, 2010
PSC DROPS TWINBILL TO DUPAGE
GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The Prairie State College softball team was unable to continue its winning ways Saturday, dropping a non-conference doubleheader with DuPage by final scores of 7-5 and 13-4.
The Pioneers (8-19) received a strong Game 1 effort from sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.). Baumgartner went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Sophomore third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) also collected two hits in the opener.
PSC collected eight hits in Game 2, as sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) led the way with a 3-for-3 showing.
Sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs.
Freshman right fielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) also recorded an RBI.
April 8, 2010
BOOMING BATS LEAD THE WAY FOR PSC IN SWEEP
Plate discipline and big hits were the name of the game for the Prairie State College softball team Thursday.
The Pioneers (8-17, 3-1) upended Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference foe Morton 14-10 and 19-1 on a cold, blustery day in Chicago Heights.
Sophomore infielder Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) led the charge in Game 1, belting a two-out grand slam to left-center in the third inning. The big blast broke a 4-all tie.
For the game, Newhuis was 2-for-2 with five RBIs and two runs.
Morton fought back to tie the tilt at nine in the fourth and took a 10-9 lead in the sixth.
PSC used a five-run sixth, highlighted by RBI singles from freshman outfielder Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.) to effectively seal the win.
Hensen, sophomore shortstop/pitcher Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) and freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) all drove in a pair in the opener.
The Pioneers wasted little time getting to work in Game 2, using good patience at the plate to draw five walks in a massive 14-run first.
PSC sent 17 hitters to the plate in the big frame and used a pair of two-run doubles from sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) to put Morton on its heels.
Prairie State also plated four runs in the third as Baumgartner drove home two more with an RBI single.
Baumgartner went 3-for-3 with six RBIs and three runs in the nightcap.
Deckard and Harte both drove in three runs while Hensen and Medendorp plated two.
Harte also took care of business in the circle, coming on in relief of Newhuis and Contreras in Game 1 and getting the starting nod in Game 2 to earn her first wins of the year.
April 1, 2010
PIONEERS TAKE ONE FROM ELGIN
The Prairie State College softball team split a pair of Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference games with Elgin Thursday afternoon in Chicago Heights.
The Pioneers (6-17, 1-1) suffered a 7-0 setback in the opener before claiming a 1-0 triumph in the nightcap.
Sophomore pitcher Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) earned her third win of the campaign in Game 2.
The 5-foot-9 Newhuis went the distance, allowing just three hits while striking out five.
PSC plated its lone run of the second contest in the top of the fifth when sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) ripped a double to the gap in left-center before advancing to third and eventually scoring on a pair of wild pitches.
In addition to Baumgartner, sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) and freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) also recorded hits.
Sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.), sophomore second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.) and Lones all reached base via a walk.
March 27, 2010
PIONEERS CLOSE OUT SPRING TRIP WITH SPLIT
TUCSON, Ariz. — Prairie State College freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) sprinted home with the winning run Saturday, giving the Pioneers a dramatic 4-3 eight-inning victory over St. Joseph’s College (N.Y.) at the Tucson Invitational.
Prairie State later fell to Edgewood College (Wis.) 9-5.
Davis, who started the inning as a base runner at second base due to the international tie-breaker rule, scored on a misplayed ground ball off the bat of freshman first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.).
While it was Davis and Contreras who teamed up to secure the triumph against St. Joseph’s, the Pioneers wouldn’t have been in position to win the game at all had it not been for an outstanding all-around performance from freshman pitcher Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.).
Hensen (2-1) tossed eight strong innings, surrendering three runs on five hits while striking out four.
She also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Prairie State (5-18) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first thanks to an RBI single from Hensen.
St. Joseph’s took a 2-1 lead in the fourth before the Pioneers came back to tie the tilt in their half of the frame when Hensen plated sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) courtesy of an RBI groundout.
The Golden Eagles also claimed a 3-2 lead in the sixth as Hensen once again drove in the tying run in the bottom of the inning, this time via an RBI single.
Sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) scored two runs in the game and Deckard recorded a fourth-inning double.
PSC owned a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning against Edgewood but couldn’t hang on, surrendering six runs in the fifth.
Sophomore shortstop Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) both collected two hits in the Edgewood game.
March 25, 2010
BAUMGARTNER, HARTE STAR IN SPLIT
TUCSON, Ariz. — There was no question the Pioneers were ready to hit in the first of their two Thursday games at the Tucson Invitational against St. Joseph’s College (N.Y.).
Simply put, the proof was in the numbers.
PSC hammered out a season-high 16 hits en route to a convincing 13-9 triumph.
The Pioneers (4-17) dropped their second game of the day against Marian University (Wis.) by a 13-3 count.
Prairie State sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) and sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) all feasted on St. Joseph’s pitching to the tune of a combined nine hits and nine RBIs.
Baumgartner recorded a monstrous afternoon, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, 5 RBIs and three runs against the Golden Eagles.
Harte went 3-for-5 with three runs and a pair of doubles.
Both of Deckard’s hits were doubles and were good for four RBIs. She also scored a run.
Freshman third baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and freshman designated player Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) both drove in two runs.
Things didn’t go as well against Marian as PSC was only able to come up with five hits.
The Pioneers trailed 13-0 in the fifth inning before plating three runs courtesy of consecutive RBI doubles from Harte, Contreras and Baumgartner.
March 24, 2010
PIONEERS DROP TRIO OF GAMES
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Prairie State softball team, despite three hard-fought efforts, was unable to emerge with a win Wednesday as they dropped a trio of games in the Tucson Invitational.
The Pioneers (3-16) fell to Whitworth University (Wash.) 11-3, Calvin College (Mich.) 4-2 and Edgewood College (Wis.) 8-7.
Prairie State received a strong effort from sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) in the Whitworth game as Harte went 2-for-2 with two runs.
Trailing 4-1 in the sixth inning of the Calvin game, the Pioneers climbed back into the contest courtesy of an RBI double from freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.), but were unable to pull any closer.
PSC led 7-6 in the seventh inning against Edgewood, but again was unable to hang on.
Harte turned in an outstanding performance against Edgewood, going 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. She also clubbed the Pioneer’s first home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) also collected three hits and an RBI.
Sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) and sophomore second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.) also drove in two runs against Edgewood.
March 22, 2010
PSC TAKES ONE FROM ANCILLA
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Prairie State women’s softball team split a pair of games with Ancilla College (Ind.) Monday at the Tucson Invitational.
The Pioneers (3-13) claimed the opener by a 13-5 final before dropping the nightcap 7-5.
PSC engineered a six-run second inning to take a 6-1 lead in Game 1 and never looked back. Highlights of the big frame included a two-run double off the bat of sophomore designated player Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.).
Prairie State received two-hit efforts in the opener from sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), freshman second baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.).
The Pioneers fell behind 7-0 in Game 2 before tallying a pair of runs in the sixth, courtesy of an RBI single from Deckard.
PSC also scored three times in the seventh, thanks to an RBI double by Harte and run-scoring single by sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor).
March 21, 2010
PIONEERS OPEN SPRING TRIP WITH SPLIT
TUCSON, Ariz. — Prairie State used a pair of three-run efforts from sophomore catcher Samantha Baumgartner (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and sophomore left fielder Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) to claim their second win of the season Sunday, courtesy of a 13-9 victory over Ancilla College (Ind.) at the Tucson Invitational.
The Pioneers (2-11) also played earlier in the day, falling to perennial power Pima Community College, 22-2.
In the nightcap, PSC used a four-run fifth inning to take an 8-5 lead. Highlights of the inning included an RBI single off the bat of Rozema and a sacrifice fly from sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.).
Prairie State received two-hit efforts from sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) and Rozema in Game 2.
The Pioneers scratched out just six hits in the loss to Pima with the highlight of the contest for Prairie State being sophomore first baseman Samantha Deckard’s (Kankakee H.S.) RBI triple in the first inning.
March 17, 2010
PIONEERS NOTCH WIN IN DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT
Prairie State softball coach Marty Mears could see the improvement his
team was making on a daily basis and knew it was only a matter of time
before they had a win to show for it.
That time came Wednesday.
The Pioneers (1-9) earned their first win of the season, and the first
of Mears' collegiate career, courtesy of a 10-2, five-inning triumph
over Triton College in the second game of a doubleheader in Chicago Heights.
"We've been improving every day and we knew eventually we'd put
everything together and get ourselves going," said Mears, PSC's
first-year head coach. "Our players have really been listening to what
we've been preaching and today it paid off."
Prairie State dropped the opener by a 6-2 count.
The Pioneers trailed 2-0 in the nightcap before exploding for a five-run
third inning, highlighted by Samantha Baumgartner's (Homewood-Flossmoor
H.S.) RBI double to left-center.
Baumgartner proved to be the star of the day for PSC, recording four
RBIs in a 3-for-4 effort.
The sophomore catcher drove in the game-clinching runs in the fifth as
well when she ripped a two-run double to center.
Sophomore left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) also drove in a pair in
the fifth, courtesy of her second triple of the game.
Sophomore pitcher Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) earned the win
in the circle for PSC, coming on in relief of freshman starter Kristen
Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and slamming the door on any potential Triton
comeback.
Newhuis went 2.1 innings, allowing no hits while striking out four and
walking a batter.
Sophomore fist baseman Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.), (2-for-3, 2
runs) and sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), (2-for-4,
2 runs) also contributed heavily in Game 2.
Praire State could only muster three hits in Game 1.
The Pioneers plated a run in the fourth on a fielder's choice off the
bat of Newhuis. They also scored in the sixth when Hensen, who had
walked, raced home following a Triton defensive miscue.
March 16, 2010
PIONEERS FALL TO NATIONALLY-RANKED KANKAKEE
KANKAKEE, Ill. — Squaring off against the fourth-ranked team in NJCAA Division II, Prairie State didn't receive the results it hoped for Tuesday, falling to perennial power Kankakee Community College 9-1 and 7-0 in a non-conference doubleheader.
The Pioneers (0-8) battled hard in Game 1, playing a much stronger game in the field than the final score indicated.
Sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) led a stellar defensive effort, running down several tough chances en route to recording a team-high seven putouts.
Prairie State tallied its lone run in the fourth inning when sophomore catcher Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) sliced a line drive just inside the first base bag, scoring freshman first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.).
Deckard's heroics cut the Kankakee advantage to 5-1, but the Pioneers were unable to pull any closer.
Freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) recorded the Pioneers' other hit in the opener.
Sophomore second baseman Brandy Medendorp (Marian Catholic H.S.) provided PSC with its only hit in Game 2.
March 12, 2010
PIONEERS FALL IN TWIN BILL
Prairie State found itself still in search of its first win after dropping both ends of a nonconference doubleheader with Ancilla College (Ind.) Friday in Chicago Heights.
The Pioneers (0-6) suffered a 17-9, six-inning setback in Game 1 before falling 15-0 in the five-inning nightcap.
PSC grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener when freshman first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) plated sophomore Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) courtesy of a long sacrifice fly to left.
The Chargers broke the game open with a 10-run fourth to stake an 11-1 advantage.
Despite the large deficit, the Pioneers scratched their way back, tallying four times in the fourth to make it an 11-5 game.
The big frame was jump-started by Samantha Baumgartner's (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) leadoff triple to left-center. The sophomore shortstop was then driven home after another sacrifice fly off the bat of Contreras.
The Pioneers also picked up an RBI-groundout from freshman Kristen Hensen (Beecher H.S.) and two-run triple by freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom H.S.) later in the inning.
PSC scored twice in the fifth as Contreras and sophomore catcher Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.) both laced RBI-singles, cutting the Chargers' advantage to 12-7.
Prairie State also scored twice in the sixth, tallying runs on an RBI double by Harte and run-scoring single from Contreras.
Contreras proved to be the hitting star in Game 1, producing a 2-for-2 effort with four RBIs and a run.
Harte (3-for-4, RBI, 3 runs) also turned in a strong performance in the opener.
The Pioneers managed just two hits in Game 2 as sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) and Deckard scratched out the safeties.
March 7, 2010
PSC DROPS PAIR IN MISSOURI
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — For the second day in a row, Prairie State dropped a pair of games to Three Rivers Community College (Mo.) Sunday, falling 8-0 and 12-4.
The Pioneers (0-4) registered five hits in Game 1 and seven safeties in the nightcap.
Sophomore second baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.), sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Bloom Trail H.S.), sophomore third baseman Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) and freshman right fielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.) all collected hits for PSC in the opener.
In Game 2, Contreras (2-for-3, double, RBI) and freshman left fielder Gabby Davis (Bloom Trail H.S.), (2-for-2, double, RBI, run) were the hitting stars for Prairie State.
A three-run second inning, highlighted by an RBI-double from Davis, gave the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.
Trailing 8-3 in the fifth, Prairie State plated its final run when Harte raced home on freshman right fielder Kristen Hensen's (Beecher H.S.) double down the left field line.
March 6, 2010
PSC OPENS SEASON WITH PAIR OF LOSSES
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Prairie State College softball team dropped both ends of its season-opening doubleheader with Three Rivers Community College (Mo.) Saturday by counts of 6-0 and 11-0.
The Pioneers (0-2) pounded out five hits in Game 1 and three in the nightcap.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Deckard (Kankakee H.S.)led the Pioneers with a 2-for-3 effort in the opener.
Freshman first baseman Samantha Contreras (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), sophomore third baseman Brittany Rozema (Marian Catholic H.S.) and freshman left fielder Kristen Henson (Beecher H.S.) collected base hits for Prairie State in the opener.
The Pioneers' best scoring chance came in the fourth inning when Deckard and Contreras led off the frame with singles. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore second baseman Paige Newhuis (Illinois Lutheran H.S.) moved Deckard to third and a walk to freshman outfielder Jessica Corradetti (Marian Catholic H.S.) loaded the bases with one out, but PSC was unable to plate a run.
Sophomore center fielder Linnea Lones (Lincoln-Way East H.S.), sophomore shortstop Andrea Harte (Bloom Trail H.S.) and Newhuis registered Prairie State's hits in Game 2.
|
