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Box Score

May 18, 2014 – Ahead 4-1 going into the fourth, the North Central College softball team couldn't hang on for the win as they were defeated by the University of St. Thomas Tommies 10-4 on Sunday in the final game of the NCAA Division III Softball Super Regional Championships. The Cardinals ended the season 33-13 overall while St. Thomas resides at 42-7 and moves to Nationals to take on Salisbury State in their first matchup May 22 in Tyler, Texas.

Down one going into the bottom of the third, North Central made their mark when senior Taylor Ryan kicked off the inning with a long single to right field. Junior Kayla Antle moved her over with a well-placed bunt that got her on first. Junior Cecie Portillo followed them by loading the bases for the Cardinals with a fielder's choice with sophomore Amanda Walker behind her receiving the team's first RBI when she was walked and brought in Antle.

Sophomore Andrea Starr kept it going with a deep hit to the shortstop that drew in the second run. The final two runs of the inning came when junior Carly Trenhaile singled to right center knocking in Walker and freshman pinch runner Kelsey Hayen, bringing them up 4-1.

That would prove to not be enough for the Cardinals as the Tommies came back the next inning with a two-run homer to right field. With a few more hard hits, St. Thomas would regain the lead 6-4.

The North Central offense couldn't get anything going as they placed a few runners on base, but were unsuccessful in getting them across the plate.

Starter Mangia (11-6) wouldn't be able to hold down the Tommies any longer on the mound giving up seven hits. Starr would take over in the middle of the fifth, but St. Thomas still managed to sneak in one more run pushing their lead up 9-4.

Unfortunately the remainder of the defense wouldn't be able to find their groove either as they gave up five errors throughout the game including one in the seventh that would eventually lead in the final run for St. Thomas.

"We struggled a bit today," said head coach Jim Kulawiak. "We didn't make a few plays and sometimes that's going to happen. Unfortunately we didn't make plays that we needed to make and you have to give them credit—you open the door to such a strong hitting team they're going to make you pay the price and they did."

The Cardinals tried one last time to rally in the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle by Cecie Portillo to start it, but would quickly get shut down as junior Kiersten Tinkoff lined out to third and they were able to snag Portillo at first for the double play. Walker stepped up to the plate as the last hope for the Cardinals, but was not able to keep them alive as she grounded out to third, ending the game with a 10-4 final.

"It's something you have to keep it perspective," said Kulawiak. "There are games that we made and things we accomplished this season, but when you end on a sour note like this it hurts. You just hope that with the people coming back next year can do something about it and you wish the seniors their very best because they did an awful lot for our program."

Seniors Mangia and Ryan wrap up their four years with the softball program as they both made a lasting impression on the team.

"Vlasta is one of the top players in the history of this program, all the way around, not just pitching," said Kulawiak. "The last two weeks she had wonderful tournaments."

Mangia will remain in the career record book for overall runs (121), triples (10) and home runs (16) as well as for her work at the mound with innings pitched (659.7), wins (64), shutouts (16) and strikeouts (318). She ended the season with a .364 batting average with 44 hits, 30 runs, five home runs and 23 RBI.

Ryan ends her senior year batting .271 with 16 hits, two doubles and one home run. She also resides in the career record book for overall assists at second base, collecting 435.

"Taylor is underrated," said Kulawiak. "She gets the job done and often times isn't celebrated, but she deserves a tremendous amount of credit."

After an overall successful season winning their third regional title, the Cardinals are already looking forward to next year.

 "We have decent players coming in and a good core coming back," said Kulawiak.  "But you never really know what's going to happen until we step out on the field again next year. Right now I'd say things look well."