Lebanon, IL - Simply put, Thursday afternoon was arguably the biggest home afternoon in McKendree University Softball history. The 14th-ranked Bearcats (44-14) were hosting an NCAA Division II Tournament game for the first time ever. While that may be unfamiliar territory, the opposition was far from it - the Rockhurst Hawks (35-20), who were squaring off with McKendree for the fourth consecutive time and sixth time in 2026. A see-saw affair saw the game tied 2-2 for some time, before Bearcat junior right fielder Molly Bartz played hero, lining a walkoff RBI single to right center for a 3-2 victory and advancement to Friday's Regional Semifinal.
Rockhurst would create traffic right from the get-go, drawing a pair of walks, but both were stranded. Alas, McKendree would strand a walk as well.
The Hawks' early start would happen eventually, however. In the top of the second, a pair of RBI singles made it 2-0 Rockhurst. What followed would be a 1-2-3 inning. So it seemed, the Hawks had momentum on both sides of the ball.
The Bearcats took Rockhurst to a 1-2-3 inning of their own before the bats finally broke through. An Addie Clark single, Trista Moore walk, and Sami Huck fielder's choice which everyone was safe on loaded the bases with still nobody out. Lauren Harris responded by taking a first-pitch single up the middle that scored both Clark and Moore and tied the game up.
From there, the game effectively went dormant, as once again, Sami Huck and Avery Huffman were going toe-to-toe. McKendree got close to scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth when Ali Grenzebach and Clark both singled, but they'd both be stranded to send it to the seventh.
In the top half, Bartz raced down a fly ball in foul territory for a foul out. That was followed by an impressive stretch and successful diving catch by Laynee Tapp. A groundout would end the inning and open the door for a walkoff.
A Jasmine Myers walk, Tapp single, and Grenzebach walk loaded the bases with 2 outs. Then in stepped Molly Bartz. Ahead in the count 2-1, the junior then fouled off back-to-back pitches. With the Hawks a singular strike away from forcing free softball, Bartz sent the Bearcat crowd home happy by lining a walkoff RBI single into right center field to win the game 3-2 and give McKendree Softball its first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM MOLLY BARTZ
On what the emotions were like going into today
"We were just ready to keep playing. We were glad we were able to play in the tournament last week, but that either way, our season kept going. This team is just so excited to keep going. We're just so happy that we're hosting too."
On the importance of perseverance after falling behind 0-2
"I think this team, we know that no matter what, if there is a little blip that happens, we can get right back at it."
On what was going through her head walking up to the eventual walkoff at-bat
"I was just happy that everyone in front of me did a great job. They had good at-bats. They got on base. I just thought I needed to do my part when I got in there and just take a breath, swing at stuff I can swing at."
On the actual moment of the walk-off
"Well, I was just hoping it wouldn't get caught and that it'd get down and I could safely get on first. Then I turned around to see everyone, and I was just so happy for everybody. I love everyone."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM HEATHER TARTER
On what there was to be said after they fell behind by two
"We just kept telling them to stay patient, stay calm. There's no surprises here, and we're on our home field. Nobody can be more comfortable than we are. We were just really excited to get the opportunity to play here."
On how much of a chess match it is when you're going up against a team for the 6th time
"Absolutely. When we're looking at what we're calling pitching-wise, we just try to keep them a little off-balance. At this point, it's just coming out and performing and seeing who's going to come out on top."
On what defensive plays like Tapp's diving catch can do for the team
"Coming from a senior, that just fires everyone up. She's got our pitcher's back, she's got our defense's back. At that point, that just gives us all the confidence in the world to come back and win."
On the mindset going into the bottom of the seventh
"For us, it's always thinking we can win it. We just need one pitch. The great thing was the batters in front of Molly Bartz were very patient. Jazzy (Jasmine Myers) pulled off a nice walk and got us going. We just kind of took what they gave us. We were lucky enough to get bases loaded. Molly Bartz had had a bunch of great at-bats today - she fouled off a ton of pitches, so all the confidence in the world that she was going to handle that very well."
On the sense of pride in Bartz for coming through in such a moment
"That was huge. She's a junior. She's been around this program for three straight years as a starter. We've kind of moved her around defensively and up and down the lineup. Any time she gets put in, she does what she needs to do and gives us her best effort, and that's all we can ask."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
2026 Midwest 2 Region Semifinal
vs. (6) Missouri S&T Miners (37-17)
Thursday, May 15th - 11:00 AM
at Bearcat Field - Lebanon, Illinois
Watch Live (NCAA.com)
Live Stats (NCAA.com)
*Win = Region Championship on Saturday
*Loss = Elimination Game at 4:00 PM Thursday
