May 11, 2007

Chicago Defeats St. Norbert in NCAA Regional

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Senior pitcher Petra Wade (Batavia, Ill./ Batavia) tossed a four-hit shutout and junior left fielder Dominique Marshall (Westerville, Ohio/ Columbus School for Girls) went 4-for-4 with a run scored as the University of Chicago softball team defeated St. Norbert College 2-0 Friday on the second day of the NCAA Division III Championship Regional at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The victory keeps Chicago (26-10) alive in the consolation bracket. The fourth-seeded Maroons are slated to return to action Friday at 6:00 p.m., against the winner of the #3 Augustana (Ill.) College/#5 Coe College game set to begin at 2:00 p.m.

Wade (16-6) allowed three hits in the game's first three innings before retiring 12 of St. Norbert's final 13 batters. The Green Knights loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third but a popup on the infield ended the threat.

En route to her 13th complete game of the season and second of the tournament, Wade struck out six while issuing just one walk.

After four scoreless frames, Chicago got on the board in the top of the fifth when junior catcher Vanessa Pineros (Mukilteo, Wash./ Kamiak) doubled to left field to drive in junior first baseman Cassie Wierenga (Worth, Ill./ Shepard), who had singled earlier in the inning.

Chicago added an insurance run in the sixth. Marshall and freshman right fielder Kathleen Duffy (Hoffman Estates, Ill./ Barrington) led off with back-to-back singles and moved up a base on a Wade sacrifice. Senior center fielder Nancy Bugajski (Chicago, Ill./ Marian Catholic) then delivered an RBI single to right field.

Melissa Strey (8-7) took the loss for seventh-seeded St. Norbert (20-14), which was eliminated from the regional. Shortstop Tracy Palmer was 3-for-3 in a losing effort.

With its 26th win of the season, Chicago tied the school victories record previously established in 2001 and 2004.

Box Score