MISSED OPPORTUNITES SPELLS ELIMINATION FOR GENEVA SOFTBALL

Alma, MI – When the Geneva College softball team looks back at its first trip to the NCAA regionals, it will feel good about competing with some of the best teams in the country. At the same time, the Golden Tornadoes could “what if” itself until next spring based on how things transpired on Thursday and Friday. Geneva saw its season come to an end on Friday with a 3-2 loss to John Carrol University In the first elimination game of the Alma Regional. The loss dropped Geneva’s overall record to a season ending 30-19.

One day after falling 6-5 to top seed Trine University, the Golden Tornadoes got off to a similar start in game two. Like round one, Geneva opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first. An RBIdouble from Ashley Davis pushed Andrea Hinds across the plate for the game’s first run. However, theinning ended with Geneva leaving the bases loaded in what would turn out to be a precursor of things tocome. John Carrol quickly responded by grabbing the lead with a pair of runs in the first inning to grab a2-1 lead that would stand until the sixth inning. Geneva again loaded the bases in the sixth and it was anRBI ground out from Rachel Lee that forced the tying run across the plate. The Golden Tornadoes couldnot complete the rally by leaving two more runners in scoring position.

In the seventh inning, Geneva looked as though it would break things open. Still tied at 2-2, theGolden Tornadoes opened the top of the seventh with consecutive singles from Hinds, Christina Fuquaand Ashley Davis. With the bases loaded and no outs, Geneva could not find a way to take the lead. Ashort fly out, a sacrifice fly and a strike out put an end to the rally. John Carrol would get the walk offbase hit with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to advance and left Geneva asking “what if”.

Senior pitcher Julie DiLonardo saw her amazing career come to an end with yet anothercomplete game. DiLonardo allowed three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out seven to end herseason with 285 punch outs for the year. Ashley Davis led the offense in the season finale with three ofGeneva’s ten hits. Freshman Andrea Hinds also picked up a pair of hits in the loss.

“We have set a pretty high standard for the future,” said head coach Van Zanic. “I am so proudof this team and what it has accomplished on and off the field. We will have some big shoes to fill in thefuture but we will do our best to continue to move forward.”

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Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education.