Softball beats Roanoke to win NCAA Regional Championship

The Muskingum softball team jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first and rode freshman Tareyn Born's dominant pitching performance to a 4-1 win against Roanoke to capture the NCAA Moravian Regional Championship. The Muskies now advance to the NCAA Super Regionals and will play Virginia Wesleyan in a best-of-three series on May 23-24. Game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. Game two is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, and game three (if necessary) is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24.

Notables

• This marks Muskingum's first-ever Super Regional appearance since the NCAA changed the tournament format in 2014.
• This marks Muskingum's 21st NCAA Regional Appearance in program history.
• Muskingum is now 3-2 all-time against Roanoke.
• Senior outfielder Kalie Eshelman, sophomore infielder Eliana Shaheen, senior pitcher Madelyn Thomas, and freshman pitcher/designated player Tareyn Born were named to the All-Region Tournament team, with Born being named the Most Outstanding Player.

How it Happened

• In the top of the first inning, Born blasted a home run down the right-field line to give the Muskies an early 1-0 edge. The shot was the second of Born's career, and both home runs happened at the Regional.
• Freshman designated player Bethany Rodman crushed a three-run home run to score freshman Natalie Smith and sophomore Sadie Smith to propel the Muskies to a 4-0 advantage in the first inning. The home run was the first of Rodman's career. 

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum scored four runs on five hits.
• Rodman and Born led the Muskie bats, each hitting a home run. Born hit a solo shot in the first inning, and Rodman followed with a three-run blast in the first inning.
• Born fired a complete game two-hitter with one unearned run to earn her 10th win of the season.
• Baylee Compton started the game for Roanoke and allowed four runs on four hits in 0.2 innings of work.

Moravian Regional - Game 6
The Muskingum softball team lost game six of the Moravian Regional against Roanoke on Saturday afternoon, 3-1. The loss set up game seven between the Muskies and Maroons for the Regional Championship.

How it Happened

• Muskingum grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on back-to-back doubles by freshman Natalie Smith and sophomore Eliana Shaheen. Shaheen's shot to center field scored Smith from second.
• Roanoke took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a three-run home run by Lilly Burns.
• Muskingum threatened in the bottom of the seventh and had the tying run at the plate with two outs when freshman Taryn Mickley doubled down the left field line, but freshman pinch runner Aimee Heasley was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from first base to end the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum ended the game with one run on six hits.
• Shaheen led the Muskies, going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
• Smith and Mickley each added a double. 
• Senior pitcher Madelyn Thomas went four innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts.
• Burns led Roanoke with a three-run home run.
• Baylee Compton earned the win in relief after tossing 5.1 innings and allowing four hits.