Panthers, Back to Back SLIAC Softball Champions

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One year after becoming the first #4 seed to win the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, Greenville College took an easier path this spring; picking up back-to-back titles by winning all three games played in the 2017 tournament. The 2017 title is the third SLIAC Softball Tournament Championship in program history as they become the fourth program to win back-to-back championships.

After plating seven runs combined in their first two tournament games this season the Panthers busted out for seven runs in the championship game against Webster including two in the opening inning. Panther pitcher Brianna Anderson set the high-powered Gorlok offense down in order to start the game including a strikeout to end the top of the first.

Despite playing for a championship the Panthers set aside any nerves and were patient when they stepped to the plate in the bottom of the first, starting the frame with back-to-back walks. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners over and Becca Oldham put the Panthers on the board with a RBI single to left center. Jordan Wieland would score during the next at-bat on an errant pickoff throw at third base.

Anderson kept the momentum going for Greenville, striking out a pair of Gorloks to start the second inning, giving her three straight strikeouts. But then the Gorlok offense threatened with a two-out rally when Terri Dearth and Emily Kolisch singled. Anderson was able to work out of the jam by forcing an easy fly ball to left to end the inning.

Webster cut the Greenville lead to 2-1 when they plated a run in the third inning. Tessa Johanning singled to start the inning and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Abby Burroughs delivered with a two-out RBI double to center field but was stranded at second with the score at 2-1. The Gorloks put the tying run on in the fourth when Kayla Day reached on an error to start the frame. However, the Gorloks could not get the runner any closer than second base.

Greenville opened the game up in the fourth, scoring five times on five hits. A one-out single by Cassandra Lueking started the offense for the Panthers. Karissa Woody followed with a single of her own and the Panthers loaded the bases on a fielder's choice. Tiffany Samsoe then pushed across a run with a RBI single and Jordyn Wieland followed with the same. Kate Jolliff plated two more runs with a single with Wieland later scoring on a wild pitch to make the score 7-1.

With a comfortable lead, Anderson bore down for the Panthers, allowing just one runner, a walk, over the final three innings. In fact, after the Gorloks scored their lone run in the third inning, Anderson allowed no hits in the final four innings of the game. Anderson kept the Gorlok hitters off-balance all day long, inducing six fly outs to go with her six strikeouts.

Anderson was named the SLIAC Softball Tournament MVP for her four-hit performance, recording two of the Panthers tournament wins. Joining her on the All-Tournament team were teammates Kate Jolliff, Cassandra Lueking, and Tiffany Samsoe. Webster University was represented on the All-Tournament team by Abby Burroughs, Emily Kolisch, and Alexis Spriggs. Westminster College's Erica Burney and Alyson Hahn and Fontbonne University's Maddy Strickland were also named to the All-Tournament team.