Chattanooga, TN - More history was to be made on Friday evening for the 14th-ranked McKendree University Softball team. They took to the field at Chattanooga's Frost Stadium for the Bearcats' first-ever appearance at the NCAA Division II Softball Championship. A stout task on paper pitted McKendree (49-15) against the Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia (51-10). The two teams entered their matchup having combined for 132 home runs (66 apiece), but also with nearly identical earned run averages in the circle. Both teams found slivers of hope at the plate, but couldn't get to the run column in regulation. It would take an RBI single to the right-center gap from Jasmine Myers in the top of the eighth inning, plus nine strikeouts from Sami Huck, and the Bearcats would come away with a 1-0 thriller of a victory.
McKendree got a baserunner right away, thanks to Lauren Harris legging out an infield error, but she was stranded. The bottom of the inning, on the other hand, started off normal. Sami Huck struck out the first two Nighthawks she saw, but then a North Georgia player roped a deep fly ball out to left center field. It was initially ruled a home run, but Laynee Tapp, who would've had the best angle in the ballpark, came sprinting in making the over-ear "replay" signal. Sure enough, after review, the home run was taken off the board, as it never left the yard, and it was held to a triple. All of two pitches later, Huck drew a flyout to Trista Moore out in left to not only negate the home run, but negate scoring of any kind.
The Bearcat bats continued to make quality contact, with Molly Bartz picking up a second-inning double, just without crossing the plate eventually. North Georgia countered with a leadoff walk. Although fortune usually favors such a result, McKendree retired the next three Nighthawks in order with a flyout to Moore, Huck strikeout, and flyout to Bartz to keep the scoreless game intact.
McKendree kept hacking away at the plate, and had their best scoring opportunity to that point in the third. A single from Huck and Harris reaching on a second Nighthawk error put two on with just one out, however, a flyout and groundout would follow.
North Georgia, meanwhile, started to make a push. They'd get a single in the third, and two singles in the fourth, but all three were left on the bases, a final number (10) that certainly could be deemed a factor in the eventual result.
The Bearcats led off the sixth with a Lauren Harris double, but three flyouts ended the frame. It seemed as if the Nighthawks had momentum, or at least as much momentum either side could have in a 0-0 game. A run in the bottom half of the inning would leave them just three defensive outs from winning. Back-to-back singles with just one out on the board made it quite the opportunity, but a Huck strikeout and another Moore flyout meant this game would need the full seven innings.
Ali Grenzebach got the seventh going with a single, but was stranded after a fielder's choice, left early call, and strikeout. The door was open for a walkoff, still without a run on the board for either team.
McKendree has been used to the walkoff here in the postseason, and was determined to not be on the wrong side of one. North Georgia got two singles, the latter coming with two outs, but Jasmine Myers chased down a pop fly in foul territory to put the game into the eighth inning.
The Bearcats were going to turn the lineup card over in the top of the eighth, which they played to their benefit. Despite there being two outs, Lauren Harris lined a first-pitch double into center.
Then came Jasmine Myers. Initially, the Nighthawks were set up for an intentional walk. Then time was called. Ok, they'll pitch to her, but pitch around her. That, needless to say, didn't please the junior. After an intense seven-pitch bout, Myers roped an RBI single to the wall in right-center field to take a 1-0 lead in extras and send the Bearcat fans into a frenzy.
Now, with energy flipped heavily on McKendree's side, North Georgia needed at least one to force the ninth, two to walk it off. The Bearcats nearly made quick work of the Nighthawks, with a lineout to Tapp and a popout to Addie Clark. After North Georgia got the game-winning run to the plate off a single, Sami Huck slammed the door shut with a strikeout looking for the one-run win.
Once the game had concluded, more jubilation awaited as the Bearcats greeted their gathering fans behind the bleachers of Frost Stadium, and more waved farewell to the honking bus on its way out, a perfect bow on an entertaining evening.
McKendree will next face a familiar foe, the Lions from Missouri Southern State, ranked fifth in the nation and seeded second in the tournament. The Lions threw a combined no-hitter against Glenville State in their Thursday opener, but allowed three runs, two of which were in the seventh inning. McKendree swept a regular season doubleheader against Missouri Southern State in Joplin, winning by scores of 8-4 and 6-3.
If the Bearcats win, they'd advance to the Final Four and have Saturday off. If the Bearcats were to lose, they'd play in an elimination game Saturday afternoon.
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM COACH HEATHER TARTER
On the limited power plays despite the home run numbers from both sides
"Yeah, I think we had a good game plan going in as far as what we were going to throw to their power hitters. The couple of times the ball slipped for Sami, our outfield backed her up and made really good plays. To keep the ball in the ballpark is pretty impressive for both teams."
On the plan of attack going into Friday's game against Missouri Southern State
"Luckily, it's a team we're familiar with. We got to play them two times. We're very familiar with them, and we got to watch them today. The biggest thing for us is to eat, get some sleep, recover, and refocus for tomorrow."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM SAMI HUCK
On battling through those late-inning situations with multiple runners on
"I just trust my teammates and whatever they do. I know that if I miss a spot or I leave a pitch hanging, no matter what, even if it's a home run, they're still going to have my back."
On the defensive plays made to back her up in this game
"We're always up no matter what happens. Even on home runs, Lo (Lauren Harris) will come in and just be like 'oh, it's okay - it's just a game', and I think it's just very important to have trust in those situations."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM LAUREN HARRIS
On the emotions of taking the field for the program's first-ever DII Championship game
"It's great getting to do it with your best friends. You can't play anything higher than here. It's been a blast and it's only game one."
On the late-game at-bats in these close games, particularly Thursday's late hit
"I just try to keep things the same, trying to hit the ball hard. I'm not trying to expand the zone or anything. I'm trying to stay true to myself."
On the passionate fan support that had made its way down
"Yeah, it's amazing. They travel well - that's a great thing. Super proud to be a Bearcat, so a thank you to them for all of the support."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM JASMINE MYERS
On her go-ahead RBI hit
"I honestly wasn't expecting to get a hit. I thought they were intentionally walking me, but I had no clue what was happening. I was so confused. I was mad after that, and I tend to hit a bit better when I'm mad, so I ended up getting the hit."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
2026 NCAA DII Softball Championship
vs. (2) Missouri Southern State Lions (54-8)
Friday, May 29th - 1:30 PM CST / 2:30 PM EST
at Frost Stadium - Chattanooga, Tennessee
Watch Live (NCAA.com)
Live Stats (NCAA.com)
Tickets (Zeffy)
