The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (44-3-1, 21-1 ODAC) defeated Messiah 12-5 in five innings to win the NCAA Regional Hosted by Virginia Wesleyan University to punch their ticket to the NCAA Super Regionals.
2025 NCAA Regional Hosted by Virginia Wesleyan University All-Tournament Team:
Western New England - So., Angelees Carrasquillo
Swarthmore - Sr., Grace Taylor
Swarthmore - Fr., Lilly Goldberg
Messiah - So., Fallon Feaser
Messiah - Jr., Allie Book
Messiah - Sr., Ali Wagner
Virginia Wesleyan - Fy.,
Morgan Tucker
Virginia Wesleyan - Sr.,
Mackenzie Myers
Virginia Wesleyan - Fy.,
Samantha Deitsch
Most Outstanding Player: Fy., Hannah Hearl (VWU)
Morgan Tucker was 3-for-3 at bat with three RBI, and scored one run. With her three RBI today, Tucker broke the single-season RBI school record with 66 this season, a record previously held by VWU Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee Cassetty Howerin in 2016 when she had 63 in a single season.
Mackenzie Myers was 1-for-3 and hit a two-run home run.
Julia Piotrowski was 2-for-3, scored two runs, and had one RBI.
Hannah Hearl was great in relief, she pitched 5.0 innings, allowed five hits, two runs, and had six strikeouts.
In the top of the first inning, Messiah capitalized on some early control issues from Virginia Wesleyan's pitching staff. Dyer led off with a walk and quickly stole second. After another walk and a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position, Rosario was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Marlins made a quick pitching change, but Messiah still managed to push across two runs—a sacrifice fly from Schlabach brought in the first run, and a single by Book, followed by a throwing error allowed another run to score. Virginia Wesleyan limited the damage but trailed 2–0 early.
The Marlins wasted no time answering in the bottom of the second.
Morgan Tucker started the rally with a single up the middle and
Mackenzie Myers delivered a huge momentum swing with a two-run homer to left field, tying the game at 2–2. The bats stayed hot as
Olivia Knight and
Haley Sadler added back-to-back singles. A walk to
Alexis Hudgens loaded the bases, and
Sarah Prosser reached on a fielder's choice that brought in the go-ahead run.
Julia Piotrowski followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 4–2.
Laci Campbell added another RBI on a fielder's choice, and Tucker picked up her second hit of the inning with an infield single that scored another run, capping a six-run outburst and putting Virginia Wesleyan ahead 6–2.
Messiah chipped away in the top of the third. After a single and a double to left center to bring in a run and trim the deficit to 6–3.
Virginia Wesleyan added more pressure in the bottom of the third.
Samantha Deitsch singled to start the frame, and
Olivia Knight's sacrifice bunt turned into a run when a throwing error allowed Deitsch to score. Hudgens and Prosser collected back-to-back singles, and Piotrowski drew a walk to load the bases. With Messiah changing pitchers,
Laci Campbell was hit by a pitch, bringing in another run. Tucker stayed locked in at the plate, driving in two more with a single through the right side. The Marlins exited the inning with a commanding 10–3 lead.
Messiah tried to rally again in the top of the fifth. After a fielding error allowed Rosario to reach and a single by Schlabach advanced her, a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. Wagner then delivered an RBI single to right field but was caught stealing shortly after. Virginia Wesleyan minimized the damage and held a 10–4 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
The Marlins closed the door with a final burst of offense in their half of the fifth.
Sarah Prosser led off with a walk and stole second.
Julia Piotrowski singled to move Prosser to third and then stole second herself.
Laci Campbell's sacrifice fly brought in one run, and a throwing error on the play allowed another to score, giving the Marlins a 12–4 advantage to seal the NCAA Regional win.
