NEVER SAY NEVER (AGAIN)

Not to sound like the James Bond movie, but softball coach John Goddard must have had Q working for him in last week’s upset of then 18^th ranked Illinois Wesleyan.           

How else can you explain the Scots’ bottom-of-the-seventh, come-from-behind 3-2 upset of the Titans?

The Scots – who a week earlier had given Eureka their first win of the year after nine straight losses – picked up just four hits against IWU and hadn’t had anyone get past first base until the seventh. It helped that the Scots got two of their four hits in the seventh to go with three walks.

“That was definitely the best game we’ve played this year,” said Goddard. “We had no errors and stayed in position to have a chance to win. The women picked the right time to play perfect defense. Illinois Wesleyan had a bit of a letdown in the seventh and we were able to take advantage of it.”

The Titan’s pitcher had been unhittable through the first four innings and carried a perfect game into the fifth when designated player Natalie Giannini broke up the no-hitter with a clean single. After just two hits through the first six innings (Maggie Dort got the other hit in the sixth), the strategy was remarkably simple.

“I told them to go up there and look for strikes and hit strikes,” reported Goddard of the bottom of the seventh plan. “The women did a nice job at the plate. They drew three walks and put the ball in play that inning.”

Trailing 2-0 with just three outs to work with, Brittany Forney led off the inning with a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Morgan Seiler quickly ripped a double, scoring the speedy Forney from first. Giannini’s ground out then moved Seiler to third where she scored on a wild pitch. Two more walks and another wild pitch later, Brooke Twohill’s infield hit loaded the bases with one out and the power-hitting Dort up. Dort got just enough to hit a chopper up the middle scoring Colleen Zumpf with the winning run when the shortstop’s throw arrived late at the plate.

“I was very proud of the women,” praised Goddard. “They played how I think they can play every game. This game was a prime example of how speed helps. A slower runner than Forney might not have scored from first. We also got excellent pitching.”

A tremendous five inning effort from starter Sarah Christensen moved her into the No. 2 spot on the all-time strikeout list, eclipsing the 201 Ks by Kim Buckert. The senior fanned three Titan batters and gave her 204 strikeouts in her career (Shelly Orwig has the record with 358).

(Scots Scoop Trivia – Christensen and Orwig share another common bond. Each played ASA ball locally – although at different times – for the Wataga, Ill.,-based Rampage, coached by Bob Hennenfent, father of former Scots softballers Jackie and Jill Hennenfent. Remember, folks, you heard it here first.)

Megan Butler kept the Scots within range, pitching out of a jam in the sixth before Ellissa Sexton came on in the seventh. Sexton, who picked up two saves – count ‘em, two – the night before, kept the Titans from scoring in their last at-bat and got the win when the Scots scored three in the bottom of the frame.

“Sarah faced Wesleyan for four years and had her best game last Thursday,” said Goddard. “It’s a shame she didn’t get the win. Without her pitching we might not have been in the position to win. Megan and Ellissa were again very good in relief.”

Monmouth suffered a letdown in Game 2, giving up three first inning runs – only one earned – and eventually fell 5-0. The Scots’ bats, not exactly hot in Game 1 were even colder in the nightcap, but after banging out 16 hits and four home runs against MacMurray the night before, it was time to give them a rest.

You read that correctly. After hitting ZERO home runs in the season’s first 10 games, the Scots ripped FOUR in one game as Monmouth swept MacMurray 5-4 and 7-4.

The Scots used three unearned runs in the fifth inning of Game 1as Seiler and Zumpf got two safeties each. Sexton worked the sixth and seventh, allowing one run to get career save No. 1. Christensen fanned eight in the game to tie her for one day with Buckert.

In the nightcap, Amanda Murdock scattered six hits and turned the ball over to the bullpen in the sixth as Sexton entered in the seventh and notched career save No. 2.

As good as the pitching was, it was the bats that raised eyebrows. Twohill started the homer parade with a solo shot in the third to put MC up 1-0. Seiler launched a solo homer in the next inning for a 2-0 lead. Unlikely power-hitter, speedy outfielder Ashley Parer, connected on a two-run dinger in the fifth and Forney added her solo round-tripper following Parer to the plate.

“Hitting and home runs are contagious,” said Goddard. “When Brooke hit that first home run, it was like somebody flipped the switch and three more followed. It was a good thing, too. We needed all three to win.”

Two wins Saturday would be nice when the Scots open the Midwest Conference season at Lake Forest – last year’s South Division winner. The matchup pits last year’s No. 1 and 2 teams in the south against each other in the conference opener for both teams. To add to the storyline, the Foresters were picked as the favorite in the South in the annual coaches’ poll, the Scots were second.

Winning both ends of the double-header would put the winning team in the early driver’s seat. Historically speaking, the Foresters have owned the Scots, winning 17 of the last 20 meetings. But, don’t tell Goddard that means anything.          

“It doesn’t matter,” claimed Goddard. “We have a lot of freshman who don’t have any idea of past history. It’s all new to them.”

Sometimes ignorance IS golden. The Scoop thinks we’ll leave it at that.

SERVING NOTICE

Chad Braun’s men’s tennis team took no prisoners in last weekend’s 8-1, 9-0 win over North Division teams Carroll University and Beloit College, respectively.

The men’s tennis team was the only Scots’ athletic team that was able to play last Saturday despite a windy, wet and cold day with a forecast that called for copious amounts of snow. Inclement weather forced the matches to be played indoors on the fast surface at the Huff Athletic Center where the Scots found more comfortable conditions. The only blemish on the Scots’ weekend was an 8-5 loss at No. 2 doubles when Sam Graf and Tyler Lampe fell to Carroll. Other than the doubles loss, Monmouth was only seriously challenged at No. 3 singles against Carroll where Eric Brandhorst picked up a 6-4, 6-4 straight set win.

“Sam and Tyler had a tough match on the indoor surface,” said Braun. “They had an opportunity early in the match to get a break, but let Carroll off the hook. I feel good about our doubles combinations, I feel good about our singles, too. Basically, I feel good about the entire team.”

He should feel good. As well as his team played in the opening match against Carroll, the Scots were untouchable in the nightcap against Beloit. Against the Buccaneers, the Scots lost just five games as a TEAM. Brandhorst, Lampe, Chris Utterback and Brian Miller went a combined 48-0 against Beloit. Only Kyle Korb and Graf dropped ANY games – Korb winning 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles and Graf was dominant at No. 2, winning 6-0, 6-3.

Monday wasn’t as kind to the Scots, but then again, they didn’t face a Division I school on Saturday, either. Monmouth fell to Western Illinois University 9-0 and in the process, Lampe’s reign of terror at No. 5 singles came to an end. The freshman had won all eight of his matches at No. 5 until falling to WIU 6-2, 6-0.

Graf got a bit of redemption, battling to a hard-fought 7-5, 6-1 loss at No. 2. Like Graf, Utterback continued his strong play, nearly forcing a tie-breaker at No. 4 before succumbing 6-3, 7-5. Ben Morrow and Utterback gave the Scots their closest look at a win, pushing the Leatherneck’s No. 3 doubles team before falling 8-5.

“Despite the loss, it was a great experience for our guys,” said Braun. “Ben and Matt were very competitive in doubles. One break was the difference there. We showed some good competitiveness all the way around. Our guys weren’t intimidated going against Division I competition.”

Last night, the Scots faced NAIA team St. Ambrose. The 6-3 loss by the Scots was not indicative of the tightness of the match, however. Morrow and Smith picked up the lone doubles point with an 8-3 win at No. 3 while Korb and Brandhorst nearly gave Monmouth the edge, but fell 8-6 at No. 1.

As close as the doubles matches were, the singles were even better – at least from the closeness of the matches – where four of the six matches went the full three sets.

Morrow cruised to a straight set win at No. 6 and Utterback picked up a 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 win at No. 4 to round out the Scots’ scoring. Korb at No. 1 and Graf at No. 2 each fell 10-6 in tie-breakers and Brandhorst dropped his No. 3 match in a 10-5 third set.

The rugged matches in the last two outings should have Braun’s crew ready to face Illinois Wesleyan and Elmhurst this weekend in Bloomington. It will be a good indicator of the team’s progress through the first half of the season.

“We’re playing well right now,” said Braun. “Chris is hitting the ball much cleaner than he was earlier. I’m very happy with the way Tyler has gone out and played extremely well. Ben’s hitting the ball much better. Our top three guys – Kyle, Sam and Eric have been solid all year.”

LEARNING A LESSON     

The men’s golf team learned a valuable lesson last weekend – Don’t be slow out of the gate.

The Scots’ opening round 315 placed their Red team fifth in the rain-shortened Prairie Fire Classic at Soangetaha Country Club. Monmouth’s White squad checked in with a 329 to tie for seventh. When the tournament’s second round was cancelled after the completion of the first day, the Scots had to take their fifth-place finish and go home.

“We always talk about getting off to a good start,” said Dave Ragone who was missing potential scorers Jake Kilberg and Ted Starkey. “It’s much like the conference meet. We want to shoot a low number on opening day and make teams chase us instead of the other way around.”

With Kilberg and Starkey taking the weekend off, the Scots got a chance to get a good look at some newcomers. Sean McNamara turned in the Scots’ second-best round, firing a 78 to tie for 16^th, one stroke back of Ryan Tapscott who tied for 13^th.

“I was very pleased with Sean’s round,” praised Ragone of the lone freshman on the Red team. “He’s played the course before in high school, and managed his game very well. Hopefully, he’ll continue to play well. Tappy has been very consistent and was solid again.”

Rodney Clayton continued his string of rounds in the 70s each time out this spring. His 79 placed him in a tie for 20^th. He could have finished in the mid 70s if not for a triple bogey on the par 5 17^th.

“He got in a little trouble off the tee,” reported Ragone. “He showed some resiliency and came back with a birdie on 18. It was very encouraging the way he responded.”

Zach Coles and Greg Jones rounded out the Red team scoring with an 81 and 82 respectively.

Speaking of an 82, that’s the only score Kyle Tuor has ever known on the Soangetaha course. Every round the junior has played on the course has been an 82 – and last Friday was no exception.

“Kyle told me before he teed off, he could just put down 82 and sign the card now,” said Ragone of his second best scorer on the White team.

Ryan Harvey’s 80 led the White team. Freshman Patrick Miller carded an 83 in his first competitive round in five years.

“Patrick didn’t play in high school because he’s a football player, so he’s never played competitive golf in school setting,” said Ragone. “That was very encouraging for him to shoot that score on an unfamiliar course in his first collegiate meet after taking so much time off other than an occasional summer tournament.”

Ben Olson’s 84 and Patrick Murphy’s 91 rounded out the scoring.

The Scots travel to the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament this weekend with a full compliment of their top golfers. With just five events remaining before the conference meet and five players battling for up to three remaining spots, each weekend’s performance will become magnified. To make it even more interesting, those five players are separated by less than two strokes.

“We need to focus on our consistency,” claimed Ragone. “One guy will be on and another one won’t. We have to put four scores together and play well on Day 1. We haven’t done that yet this year. This will be a very good field, so it will be a nice simulation of what the conference meet will be like, except we’ll only play 36 holes this weekend compared to 54 at conference.”

That’s 36 holes of golf – if the weather cooperates.

GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS

After taking the winter off, the women’s tennis team is back in action for their non-traditional spring season.

Kerry Frantz’ women got off to a fast start last Thursday, dropping Eureka College 6-3. The Scots then fell 9-0 Monday to Division I Western Illinois University.

Senior Brittany Donnelly got the early jump on classmate Cassie Frantz in the race for the most singles wins in a career. Donnelly’s 3-6, 6-2, 12-10 win against her Eureka opponent at No. 4 doubles gave her 42 career singles wins while Frantz stayed at 41 with a 6-1, 6-2 loss at No. 1. The tandem added to their doubles totals, teaming for an 8-3 win at No. 1.

Like Donnelly, Kimi Wegner, at No. 3, needed three sets to win. The sophomore posted a marathon 6-0, 4-6, 12-10 win while Amy Unzicker cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 2 for the Scots’ third singles win. Unzicker and Wegner followed the Frantz-Donnelly lead, teaming in doubles to squeeze out an 8-6 win at No. 2.

Maddy Ethington and Julie Battcher picked up the final doubles win – an 8-3 decision at No. 3.

Much like the men’s team, the women had their struggles with WIU on Monday. The Scots won just five games from No. 2 to No. 6 singles and all three doubles. Frantz made a run to pick up the career win she lost to Donnelly last week, but fell at No. 1 6-4, 6-2.

The women wrap up their season with matches at Augustana Sunday and Knox Monday. If past history holds serve, Donnelly may be able to hang onto the career singles lead. Donnelly and Frantz had identical records last fall against their final two opponents.

OUTDOOR TRACK BEGINS….FINALLY

Mother Nature did her best to make sure the Scots track team is healthy and rested for the start of the outdoor season – a week late.

A wintry forecast for last weekend meant the Scots got an extra week off when the Augustana Viking Olympics were cancelled. Normally, track athletes would be chomping at the bit to get their season started, but for the Scots, the extra week off was a welcome event.

“This was probably a good layoff for us,” claimed Roger Haynes. “We had some minor, lingering injuries from the indoor season that we want to get rid of and get people completely healthy. The extra week of practice will probably be beneficial for many of our people.”

Athletes whose events are outdoor events only may reap the most benefits from the extra week. The javelin, steeple chase and 400-meter hurdles are only held outdoors, giving athletes like Dan Higgins (javelin) a little more time to work on their craft.

“Dan’s training has really improved overall,” said Haynes. “He’s very knowledgeable about what he’s trying to do. His lifting has been better. We may not see huge improvements early, but I’m confident by the end of the year he’ll do very well.”

Gloria Lehr, second at the conference meet a year ago in the javelin, is expected to do well again this season. The junior leads a young group of women just breaking into the event.

Once the team hits the outdoor track, Haynes expects a few minor changes in his sprint combinations.

“We’ll have to specialize a little more,” said Haynes. “You can’t get the same mileage out of a sprinter as you can indoors with all the multiple relays. I like the fact we have a large number of men and women to cover all those events.”

Haynes also expects those changes to have an impact on the team in general. Shannon Turczyn and Shane Reschke may run some different events than they have in the past.

“When you look at our roster, you realize you can’t double kids up in the 100 and 400,” reported Haynes. “We’re anxious to get started. I think most of them are anxious for warm weather.”

Haynes is trying his best to provide both a meet to compete in and warmer weather for his team. The Scots are opting to travel to St. Louis, Mo., this weekend to compete in the Washington Invitational and some warmer weather.

CONFERENCE HONORS

Sarah Christensen (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) was named the Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week after she moved to No. 2 on the all-time strikeout list at Monmouth and helped the Fighting Scots to their biggest win of the season.

Christensen struck out eight batters in a 5-4 win over MacMurray Wednesday to tie Kim Buckert’s 201 career Ks. She then took sole possession of second place with three strikeouts in a 3-2 win the next day against 18^th ranked Illinois Wesleyan. Christensen, who worked the first five innings against IWU Thursday, kept Monmouth within striking distance allowing just one run before leaving the game trailing 1-0. Against MacMurray, the senior hurler worked out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the first inning before settling in to fan five of the next of the next six batters.

For the week, Christensen was 1-0 while recording 11 strikeouts and issuing one walk with a 2.10 ERA. Opposing batters hit just .225 against her.

LOSS OF A LEGEND

The Fighting Scots lost one of their basketball legends last weekend.

Richard “Pete” Kovacs ’55, Monmouth’s second leading scorer of all time, lost his battle with cancer last week just two weeks before his 76^th birthday. Kovacs had been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in December.

In 1955, Kovacs became only the second player in Fighting Scots’ history to score 1,000 points. By the time he was finished, his 1,499 points had eclipsed Don Armstrong’s 1,056. The sharp-shooter held the top spot for 40 years until Lance Castle ’95, eclipsed him in 1995, finishing his career with 1,827.

Inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame, Kovacs was nearly automatic at the free throw line and gained national attention with his prowess at the line. Best known for his accuracy from the charity stripe, his free-throw percentage was the second highest in the nation in 1953-54. As a senior, he was the national free throw leader, making 175-of-199 (87.9 percent), including a Monmouth record 35 straight.

A memorial service will be held today in Kovacs’ home town of Elgin, Ill.

The complete story may be found on-line at www.dailyherald.com. Click on the “Prep Sports” tab.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Fri., Apr. 3
Track – at Washington University Invitational, 7:00 pm
Men’s Golf – at Illinois Wesleyan Invitational, 1:00 pm 

Sat., Apr. 4
Men’s Golf – at Illinois Wesleyan Invitational, 9:00 am
Men’s Tennis – at Illinois Wesleyan with Elmhurst, 9:00 am & Noon
Track – at Washington University Invitational, 10:00 am
Women’s Golf – at Illinois College Invitational, TBA
Baseball – at Illinois College (2), Noon
Softball – at Lake Forest (2), 1:00 pm 

Sun., Apr. 5
Women’s Golf – at Illinois College Invitational, TBA
Softball – at Cornell (2), 1:00 pm
Women’s Tennis – at Augustana, 2:00 pm 

Mon., Apr. 6
Women’s Tennis – at Knox, 3:30 pm 

Wed., Apr. 8
Softball – at Robert Morris-Springfield (2), 2:00 pm
Baseball – vs. Lawrence at Rockford, Ill. (1), 3:00 pm

SCOTSIVATIONAL

“You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures.” - Charles C. Noble