2003 Softball Game-by-Game Recaps
May 8, vs. University of Rio Grande
MVNU, the sixth-seed, saw its season come to an end as the Lady
Cougars fell 4-3 to fourth-seeded Rio Grande in the loser's
bracket of the NAIA Region IX Tournament. MVNU led 3-2 going
into the bottom of the seventh inning before the Redwomen rallied
for two runs and the victory. Shannon Rachel (12-10)
suffered the loss as she gave up seven hits and four runs over 6
2/3 innings with one strikeout. Stephanie Johnson capped off
an outstanding freshman season by going 3-for-4 with a single,
double, home run, and driving in all three of the team's
runs. Jackie Shively also added two hits. BOXSCORE
May 8, vs. Ohio Dominican University
The sixth-seeded Lady Cougars fell 11-1 to third-seeded Ohio
Dominican in the first round of the NAIA Region IX Tournament as
MVNU made its first-ever appearance in the tournament.
Heather Clark (17-10) suffered the loss on the mound for the Lady
Cougars as she allowed 13 hits, one walk, and 11 runs over 5 1/3
innings with two strikeouts. The Lady Cougars managed just
two hits in the game - first-inning singles by Jenni Davis and
Brittany Stroop. BOXSCORE
May 5, MOUNTAIN STATE (WV) UNIVERSITY
MVNU advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the first
time in school history as the Lady Cougars blanked Mountain
State 3-0 in a one-game qualifier. Heather Clark (17-9)
extended her scoreless inning streak to 23 1/3 innings as she
tossed her team-leading seventh shutout of the season. She
allowed just four hits and three walks over seven innings while
matching her career high with six strikeouts. Sara
Schwartz's RBI-single in the second inning and Angie Smith's
two-run single in the fifth inning gave MVNU all the runs that
it would need. Jenni Davis also added two hits. BOXSCORE
May 2, SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY
The sixth-seeded Lady Cougars eliminated seventh-seeded Shawnee
State and swept their American Mideast Conference
Tournament best-of-three series by blanking the Lady Bears
6-0. Heather Clark (16-9) notched her second win of the
day and her sixth shutout of the year as she allowed just four
hits and two walks over seven innings. Meanwhile,
Stephanie Johnson led the offense by going 3-for-3 with two
doubles and two RBI. Debbie Dobson and Tiffany Simpson
also added two hits apiece. BOXSCORE
May 2, SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY
MVNU, making its first NAIA postseason appearance since 1997,
pulled out a dramatic 5-4 victory over seventh-seeded Shawnee
State in the first game of the American Mideast Conference
Tournament best-of-three series. The sixth-seeded Lady
Cougars scored the winning run on an error with two outs in the
bottom of the eighth inning. Heather Clark (15-9) picked
up the win as she tossed two perfect innings of relief with one
strikeout. Shannon Rachel started and worked six innings
as she scattered 13 hits and four runs - only two earned - with
three strikeouts. Brittany Stroop paced the offense by
going 3-for-4 and scoring three runs, while Angie Smith drove in
two runs. BOXSCORE
May 1, MALONE COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars closed out the regular season with a 4-0
shutout of Malone in the second game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader. Heather Clark
(14-9) picked up the win as she tossed her fifth shutout of the
season by scattering three hits and two walks over seven
innings. She also
matched her career-high with six strikeouts. Meanwhile,
Jenni Davis, Debbie Dobson, and Angie Smith each had two hits to
pace the offense. BOXSCORE
May 1, MALONE COLLEGE
MVNU scored the winning run with one out in the bottom of the
seventh inning as Stephanie Johnson's triple plated Jenni Davis
for a 2-1 win over Malone in the first game of an American
Mideast Conference Central Division twinbill. Johnson and
Jackie Shively each had two hits to pace the Lady Cougars.
On the mound, Shannon Rachel (12-9) earned the victory as she
allowed just four hits, one walk, and one run over seven innings
with one strikeout. BOXSCORE
April 29, at Walsh University
The Lady Cougars were blanked for the second straight game as
Walsh wrapped up the American Mideast Conference Central Division
title with a 3-0 no-hitter in the nightcap of the
doubleheader. Tiffany Simpson was the only MVNU player to
reach base in the game as a result of a two-out error in the top
of the sixth inning. Shannon Rachel (11-9) took the loss
for the Lady Cougars despite allowing just seven hits and three
unearned runs over six innings with one strikeout. BOXSCORE
April 29, at Walsh University
MVNU collected just three hits - two by Stephanie Johnson and
one by Tiffany Simpson - as the Lady
Cougars fell 4-0 in the first game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader at Walsh. Heather
Clark (13-9) suffered the loss as she allowed five hits, one
walk, and four runs over six innings with two strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 24, at Tiffin University
The Lady Cougars rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Tiffin 3-2
in the second game of an American Mideast Conference Central
Division twinbill. Heather Clark (13-8) earned the victory
as she allowed just six hits, two walks, and two runs over seven
innings with three strikeouts. Meanwhile, Tiffany Simpson
went 2-for-3 and drove in a run, and Debbie Dobson drove in two
runs with a single. Jenni Davis also added a pair of hits.
BOXSCORE
April 24, at Tiffin University
MVNU collected just two hits - a first inning single by Jenni
Davis and a third inning single by Tiffany Simpson - as the Lady
Cougars fell 2-0 in the first game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader at Tiffin.
Shannon Rachel (11-8) suffered the loss as she allowed nine
hits, one walk, and two runs over six innings with three
strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 21, OHIO DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars rallied from a 1-0 deficit for a dramatic 2-1
victory over Ohio Dominican in the second game of a
non-conference twinbill on Stephanie Johnson's RBI-double in the
bottom of the seventh inning. Heather Clark (12-8) was
outstanding on the mound as she allowed just four hits, three
walks, and one run over seven innings with three
strikeouts. Meanwhile, Jenni Davis, Shara Dyer, and Jackie
Shively each had two hits. BOXSCORE
April 21, OHIO DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
MVNU fell 7-4 to Ohio Dominican in the first game of a
non-conference doubleheader. Stephanie Johnson collected
two of the Lady Cougars' five hits with a single and her second
home run of the season. Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (11-7)
suffered the loss as she allowed 14 hits and seven runs over
seven innings with three strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 19, GENEVA (PA) COLLEGE
For the second time in two days, the Lady Cougars fell 5-0 to
Geneva as the Golden Tornadoes won the National Christian
College Athletic Association East Region Tournament championship
game. Stephanie Johnson collected two of the team's six
hits, and Tiffany Simpson's triple was the only extra base hit
for MVNU. Heather Clark (11-8) took the loss on the mound
as she allowed 10 hits, one walk, and five runs - only one
earned - over six innings. BOXSCORE
April 19, MALONE COLLEGE
MVNU rallied from a 4-0 deficit with four runs in the top of the
sixth inning and then scored three runs in the eighth inning for
a 7-4 victory over Malone in the semifinals of the National
Christian College Athletic Association East Region
Tournament. Shara Dyer led the team with two hits, while
Angie Smith drove in a pair of runs. Tiffany Simpson also
added a triple. Meanwhile, on the mound, Shannon Rachel
(11-6) picked up the win as she allowed just six hits, four
walks, and four runs - only one earned - over eight innings with
six strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 18, GENEVA (PA) COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars managed just two hits as MVNU fell 5-0 to
Geneva in pool play action at the National Christian College
Athletic Association East Region Tournament. Heather Clark
(11-7) took the loss as she allowed eight hits, three walks, and
five runs with one strikeout. Only one run was earned,
though, as the result of four errors by the Lady Cougars'
defense. Stephanie Johnson and Megan Kunkle each singled
to account for all of MVNU's offense. BOXSCORE
April 18, MALONE COLLEGE
MVNU dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Malone in eight
innings as the Lady Cougars fell in their first game of pool
play in the National Christian College Athletic Association East
Region Tournament. Shannon Rachel (10-6) suffered the loss
as she allowed just six hits and two unearned runs over 7 2/3
innings with four strikeouts. Meanwhile, Stephanie Johnson
paced the offense by 3-for-4 and scoring the team's only
run. Brittany Stroop also added an RBI-double. BOXSCORE
April 16, at Ursuline College
The Lady Cougars got back to their winning ways with a 5-3 win
over Ursuline in the second game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader. Heather Clark
(11-6) picked up the win as she allowed just three hits, two
walks, and three runs over seven innings with a career-high
eight strikeouts. Meanwhile, Stephanie Johnson and Tiffany
Simpson each collected two hits, and Jenni Davis added an
RBI-triple. BOXSCORE
April 16, at Ursuline College
MVNU collected just seven hits as the Lady Cougars were shut out
3-0 at Ursuline to snap their eight-game winning streak in the
first game of an American Mideast Conference Central Division
doubleheader. Jenni Davis paced the offense by going
3-for-4, while Brittany Stroop, Angie Smith, Debbie Dobson, and
Shara Dyer each added one hit apiece. On the mound,
Shannon Rachel (10-5) suffered the loss despite allowing just
six hits, two walks, and three runs over six innings with five
strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 15, at Notre Dame College
The Lady Cougars banged out 15 more hits as MVNU swept an
American Mideast Conference Central Division twinbill from Notre
Dame with an 8-1 win in the nightcap to extend the team's
winning streak to eight straight. Angie Smith went 3-for-4
with two doubles and three RBI, while Jenni Davis also had three
hits. Jackie Shively, Stephanie Johnson, and Shara Dyer
each finished with two hits apiece. Meanwhile, Heather
Clark (10-6) won her fourth straight game as she scattered four
hits, five walks, and one unearned run over seven innings with
two strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 15, at Notre Dame College
MVNU pounded out a season-high 16 hits as the Lady Cougars
blanked Notre Dame 13-1 in the first game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader. Stephanie
Johnson led the way with a single, double, triple, and four
RBI. Jackie Shively added three hits and three runs, while
Angie Smith also had three hits. Tiffany Simpson went
2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and four runs scored, and Jenni
Davis and Debbie Dobson also posted two hits. On the
mound, Shannon Rachel (10-4) notched her third shutout of the
year as she allowed just four hits and one walk over seven
innings with three strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 14, URSULINE COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars pounded out 14 hits on their way to a 6-1 win
over Ursuline in the second game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division doubleheader that extended their
winning streak to six straight games. Stephanie Johnson
led the way by going 3-for-4, while Jenni Davis, Jackie Shively,
and Brittany Stroop each had two hits apiece. Meanwhile,
Heather Clark (9-6) picked up the win on the mound as she
allowed just four hits, four walks, and one run over seven
innings with five strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 14, URSULINE COLLEGE
MVNU won its fifth straight game with a 5-1 victory over
Ursuline in the first game of an American Mideast Conference
Central Division doubleheader. Shannon Rachel (9-4)
allowed just two hits, four walks, and one unearned run over
seven innings with five strikeouts. Brittany Stroop
collected half of the Lady Cougars' six hits as she went 3-for-3
with a double, while Stephanie Johnson, Debbie Dobson, and
Tiffany Simpson each singled once. BOXSCORE
April 12, at Malone College
The Lady Cougars made it a doubleheader sweep as MVNU scored the
only three runs of the game in the seventh inning for a 3-0 win
at Malone in the second game of an American Mideast Conference
Central Division twinbill. Heather Clark (8-6) tossed her second
straight shutout and her fourth of the season as she allowed just
four hits and one walk with one strikeout over seven innings as
the Lady Cougars won their fourth straight game. BOXSCORE
April 12, at Malone College
MVNU built a commanding 8-0 lead and held on for an 8-3 victory
at Malone in the first game of an American Mideast Conference
Central Division doubleheader. Stephanie Johnson went 3-for-4
with a double, triple, home run, and three RBI, while Brittany
Stroop was also 3-for-4. Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (8-4) earned
the win on the mound as she allowed just three hits, three walks,
and one earned run over seven innings with three strikeouts. BOXSCORE
April 11, SETON HILL (PA) UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars swept a non-conference doubleheader from Seton
Hill as MVNU blanked the Griffins 8-0 in the nightcap.
Heather Clark (7-6) tossed her third shutout of the season as
she scattered four hits and five walks with five strikeouts in
five innings of work. Meanwhile, Jackie Shively and
Stephanie Johnson each went 3-for-3, while Jenni Davis added two
hits. BOXSCORE
April 11, SETON HILL (PA) UNIVERSITY
MVNU posted a 12-1 non-conference victory over Seton Hill in the
first game of a doubleheader. Shannon Rachel (7-4) allowed
just four hits and one unearned run over five innings with two
strikeouts. Offensively, Jackie Shively went 3-for-3 with
two RBI, while Stephanie Johnson, Tiffany Simpson, and Debbie
Dobson each went 2-for-3 and combined to score six runs and
drive in four runs. BOXSCORE
April 10, WALSH UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars dropped a 5-3 decision to Walsh in the nightcap
of an American Mideast Conference Central Division twinbill.
Heather Clark (6-6) suffered the loss as she allowed seven hits,
three walks, and five runs over seven innings with one
strikeout. Meanwhile, Stephanie Johnson, Shara Dyer, and
Brittany Stroop each had two hits to account for all six of the
team's hits in the game. BOXSCORE
April 10, WALSH UNIVERSITY
MVNU scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning
as the Lady Cougars rallied for a 4-2 victory over Walsh in the
first game of an American Mideast Conference Central Division
doubleheader for their first win over the Lady Cavaliers since
1996. Shannon Rachel (6-4) picked up the victory as she
allowed just six hits and two runs over seven innings with two
strikeouts. Tiffany Simpson went 2-for-3 and had the big
blow in the sixth inning with a three-run triple. Jenni
Davis also added two hits. BOXSCORE
April 8, TIFFIN UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars managed just three hits as MVNU fell 3-1 to
Tiffin in the nightcap of an American Mideast Conference Central
Division twinbill. Heather Clark (6-5) was the hard-luck loser as
she gave up just seven hits, two walks, and three runs over
seven innings with two strikeouts. Meanwhile, Angie Smith
collected two of the team's three hits, and Stephanie Johnson
added an RBI-single. BOXSCORE
April 8, TIFFIN UNIVERSITY
MVNU dropped a 7-6 decision to Tiffin in the first game of an
American Mideast Conference Central Division doubleheader.
Shannon Rachel (5-4) suffered the loss as she allowed nine hits,
one walk, and seven runs over seven innings with one
strikeout. Angie Smith paced the offense by going 3-for-4,
while Shara Dyer and Brittany Stroop each doubled. BOXSCORE
April 4, KENYON COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars blanked Kenyon 6-0 in a non-conference game
between the two Knox County schools. Shannon Rachel (5-3)
won her fifth straight game as she tossed a one-hitter with five
strikeouts and two walks over seven innings. Shara Dyer
went 2-for-3, while Debbie Dobson drove in three runs.
Jenni Davis also reached base all four times with three walks, a
single, and two stolen bases. BOXSCORE
April 2, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
MVNU dropped a 7-1 decision to Rio Grande in a non-conference
game that saw the Lady Cougars collect only four hits.
Heather Clark (6-4) suffered the loss as she gave up 11 hits,
two walks, and seven runs with two strikeouts.
Offensively, Angie Smith collected two hits, while Stephanie
Johnson added a double and scored the team's only run. BOXSCORE
April 1, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars made it a doubleheader sweep as MVNU blanked
Notre Dame 2-0 in the second game of an American Mideast
Conference Central Division twinbill. Heather Clark (6-3)
earned the victory as she gave up just three hits and four walks
with two strikeouts as the Falcons stranded nine baserunners.
Offensively, the Lady Cougars managed just six hits with
Brittany Stroop and Tiffany Simpson each ripping a double as
MVNU scored two unearned runs for the win. BOXSCORE
April 1, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
MVNU successfully opened American Mideast Conference Central
Division play with an 8-0 win over Notre Dame in the first game
of a conference twinbill. Shannon Rachel (4-3) notched her
fourth straight win as she tossed a three-hitter with six
strikeouts. Meanwhile, Jackie Shively went 2-for-4 and
drove in four runs, and Shara Dyer pounded out a career-high
three hits with two RBI. Stephanie Johnson also recorded
two hits. BOXSCORE
March 27, vs. Otterbein College
The Lady Cougars wrapped up their Florida trip with a 7-3 record as MVNU fell
4-0 to Otterbein at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. The Lady Cougars
collected just three hits in the game on a triple by Tiffany Simpson and a single
each by Jenni Davis and Jackie Shively. Heather Clark (5-3) suffered the loss as
she gave up 12 hits, one walk, and four runs (two earned) over six innings.
BOXSCORE
March 27, vs. St. Olaf (MN) College
MVNU scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the
Lady Cougars pulled out a 4-3 victory over St. Olaf in action at the Orlando
Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Debbie Dobson led the team by going 3-for-3
and drove in the final two runs, while Tiffany Simpson added two hits and an RBI.
Heather Clark (5-2) picked up the win in relief as she allowed just two hits and
two unearned runs over the final 2 1/3 innings. Shannon Rachel started and worked
4 2/3 innings as she gave up four hits, three walks, and one run with three strikeouts.
BOXSCORE
March 26, vs. Ramapo (NJ) College
The Lady Cougars had their winning streak snapped as MVNU managed just three
hits in dropping a 6-0 decision to Ramapo in action at the Orlando Rebel Games
in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (4-2) suffered the loss as she gave up
nine hits, two walks, and six runs - only two earned - over six innings with
three strikeouts. Angie Smith, Jenni Davis, and Tiffany Simpson each collected
one of the team's hits. BOXSCORE
March 26, vs. University of Chicago (IL)
MVNU extended its winning streak to six straight and head coach Jeana Howald
notched her 300th victory as the Lady Cougars edged Chicago 2-1 at the Orlando
Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Stephanie Johnson had one hit and drove in
both runs, while Jenni Davis, Debbie Dobson, and Tiffany Simpson also recorded
one hit each. On the mound, Shannon Rachel (3-3) picked up the win as she
scattered eight hits and one unearned run over seven innings with one strikeout.
BOXSCORE
March 25, vs. Buena Vista (IA) University
The Lady Cougars rallied for a 4-3 victory over Buena Vista as MVNU won its
fifth straight game at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. The
Lady Cougars scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for
the win. Stephanie Johnson went 3-for-4, while Jenni Davis was
2-for-3.
Shannon Rachel (2-3) picked up the win as she allowed just five hits, one walk,
and three runs over seven innings with one strikeout. BOXSCORE
March 25, vs. St. Olaf (MN) College
MVNU won its fourth consecutive game as the Lady Cougars blanked St. Olaf
8-0 in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather
Clark (4-1) notched her fourth straight win as she tossed a perfect game
with five strikeouts. Meanwhile, Stephanie Johnson paced the offensive
attack by going 3-for-4. Debbie Dobson added two hits and three RBI, while
Jenni Davis and Brittany Stroop each contributed two hits.
BOXSCORE
March 24, vs. Manchester (IN) College
The Lady Cougars made it three straight wins as MVNU pulled out a
hard-fought 3-2 victory over Manchester in eight innings at the
Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (3-1) earned
her third straight victory as she scattered seven hits, one walk, and
one earned run over eight innings with two strikeouts. Offensively,
Stephanie Johnson, Brittany Stroop, and Jackie Shively each recorded
two hits. BOXSCORE
March 24, vs. Western Connecticut State University
MVNU won its second straight game as the Lady Cougars downed Western
Connecticut State, ranked eighth in NCAA Division III, 9-4 at the
Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Stephanie Johnson, Debbie Dobson,
Angie Smith, Shara Dyer, and Jenni Davis each had two hits as part of MVNU's
12-hit attack. Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (1-3) earned the victory by allowing
just five hits, three walks, and one earned run over seven innings
with four strikeouts. BOXSCORE
March 22, vs. Otterbein College
The Lady Cougars pulled out a dramatic 2-1 victory over Otterbein
in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Debbie
Dobson drove in MVNU's two runs with a single to center in the top
of the seventh inning. Meanwhile, Heather Clark (2-1) picked up
the victory as she allowed just four hits, two walks, and one
run with two strikeouts. Dobson, Jenni Davis, Brittany Stroop,
Stephanie Johnson, and Angie Smith each recorded a single for the
Lady Cougars. BOXSCORE
March 22, vs. St. Norbert (WI) College
MVNU managed just two hits in the game as the Lady Cougars dropped
a hard-fought 2-0 decision to St. Norbert at the Orlando Rebel Games
in Kissimmee, Florida. Shannon Rachel (0-3) was the hard-luck loser
as she allowed just five hits, two walks, and two runs over seven
innings of work. Stephanie Johnson and Angie Smith each collected
a single to account for the team's two hits. BOXSCORE
March 18, at Cedarville University
The Lady Cougars notched their first victory of the season as
MVNU posted a 4-1 win at Cedarville in the nightcap of a
non-conference doubleheader. Heather Clark (1-1) earned
her first collegiate win as she allowed just five hits and one
run over seven innings with six strikeouts. Jenni Davis
and Stephanie Johnson paced the Lady Cougars' offense with two
hits apiece, and Debbie Dobson ripped a triple. BOXSCORE
March 18, at Cedarville University
MVNU dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision at Cedarville in the
first game of a non-conference doubleheader. Shannon
Rachel (0-2) took the hard-luck loss despite allowing just four
hits and one earned run over six innings. Debbie Dobson
collected two of the Lady Cougars' three hits and stole a base.
BOXSCORE
March 11, at University of Rio Grande
The
Lady Cougars rallied from a 7-0 deficit in their final two at bats in the second
game of a non-conference twinbill at Rio Grande to send the game into the eighth
inning knotted at 7-7. At that point, the game was suspended due to
darkness and resumed on April 11 at MVNU. In the bottom of
the 12th, the Redwomen won the game 9-7 on a two-run home
run. Shannon Rachel (0-1) suffered the loss as she allowed
five hits and two runs in five relief innings with three
strikeouts. Heather Clark started and worked six innings
as she allowed eight hits, four walks, and seven runs with a
strikeout. Jenni Davis had three hits, while Debbie Dobson
and Jackie Shively each added a pair of hits. BOXSCORE
March 11, at University of Rio Grande
MVNU
opened the season with a hard-fought 4-3 loss at Rio Grande in the first game of
a non-conference doubleheader. Shannon Rachel started and worked the first
six-plus innings as she had a perfect game through four innings and a shutout
into the top of the seventh inning. She finished with a seven-hitter as
she allowed two runs with four strikeouts. Heather Clark (0-1) suffered
the loss in relief as she allowed two hits, one walk, and two runs in 1 1/3
innings of work. Brittany Stroop paced the offense by going 3-for-4 with a
double, while Stephanie Johnson had the team's other extra base hit with a
triple. BOXSCORE