IWU softball seeks return trip to College World Series

Posted on May 18, 2018
Illinois Wesleyan softball
Illinois Wesleyan hosts Wisconsin-Whitewater in the NCAA Super Regionals this weekend. (iwusports.com)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan’s softball team plays for a berth in the College World Series this weekend as the Titans host Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Super Regional best of three starting Friday.

IWU coach Tiffany Prager wants her players to play relaxed despite the pressure of being among the last team’s standing.

“Just have that one-pitch focus, have fun,” Prager said. “There’s 16 teams that are left in the country, and that is just quite an accomplishment.

“Just enjoy the process.”

The No. 24 Titans have won the Super Regional the last two years, which Prager hopes can be an advantage for her team.

“Each year is a new year, but the experience is definitely a factor,” Prager said.

Prager wouldn’t tip her hand on a pitching rotation for the potential three-game series, but it seems likely Ally Weigand who won two games and saved the third as IWU won the regional last weekend would start the opener in the circle. Wiegand has a 16-3 record with a 0.96 earned run average in 116 1/3 innings.

The winner advances to the eight-team NCAA Div. III National Championships, May 24-29 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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