THE EXPERTS IN THE BUSINESS OF SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Buckley's Single Gives Indiana Wesleyan a Walk-Off 3-2 Win against Faulkner

May 26, 2018

Story by Chad Waller, NAIA Director of Athletic Communications & Media
Pictures courtesy of Paul Penders Photography, Click HERE to order

CLERMONT, Fla. – (Box Score) (Bracket) Indiana Wesleyan batters saved the best for last in the 3-2, eight-inning victory against No. 8 seed Faulkner (Ala.) in the elimination bracket of the 2018 NAIA Softball World Series at Legends Way Ball Fields. The fifth-seeded Wildcats plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score 2-2. Then in the bottom of the eighth, Lauren Buckley rapped a single to center to score Aubrie Eckert and walked-off Indiana Wesleyan. The 38th annual event is hosted by PFX Athletics for the second-straight year.

Up Next:

Indiana Wesleyan survives for another day and will play the loser of No. 2 Oklahoma City / No. 10 Columbia (Mo.) Monday at 10 a.m. EDT in the elimination bracket.
With a 0-2 record in the World Series, Faulkner ends its season with a 48-16 overall mark.

Key Turning Point of the Game:

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Indiana Wesleyan’s Aubrie Eckert led off with a single to right. She was pushed over to second on a sacrifice. After an infield single put runners at first and second, the stage was set for Lauren Buckley.
The junior leftfielder delivered a solid line drive to centerfield and Eckert crossed home without a throw.

Clutch Performer

Indiana Wesleyan’s Lauren Buckley finished 3-for-5 and tied a season-high for hits, done twice previously.
Buckley extended her hitting streak to six-straight contests.
In the last six games, Buckley owns a .435 (10-for-23) batting average.

Game Notes:

Victoria Boyer of Indiana Wesleyan tied Buckley for the game-high with three hits. Her two-RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the seventh tied the game 2-2.
Kelsey Kooistra added a pair of hits for the Wildcats.
The 14 hits for Indiana Wesleyan was the most in 15 games (April 27 vs. Bethel).
For Faulkner, Abbigail Barron went 2-for-4 to lead the team.
Faulkner lead-off hitter Hannahlee Harris started the game with a bang sending an 0-1 pitch to the right-field corner. She raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run.
Mckenzey Ridge entered in the seventh inning and got the credit for the win. She tossed 2.0 innings and did not allow a hit. She struck out one and walked one.
Caitlin Perry – with 104 pitches – took the loss for Faulkner. She went the distance and struck out five.
The team scoring first through five games is 3-2.
The home team is 2-3.
The higher seeds now hold a 3-2 record thus far in the World Series.