2004 Softball Game-by-Game Recaps

May 6, at Tiffin University
The Lady Cougars season came to an end as MVNU fell 9-0 at Tiffin in the second game of an American Mideast Conference Tournament best-of-three series.  The Lady Cougars managed just four hits in the game as Jackie Shively, Sara Schwartz, Angie Smith, and Enid Tidyman each singled.  Shannon Rachel (10-8) took the loss on the mound as she allowed six hits, one walk, and nine runs (only two earned) over four innings with two strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

May 6, at Tiffin University
MVNU dropped a 5-1 decision at Tiffin in the first game of an American Mideast Conference Tournament best-of-three series.  Sara Schwartz paced the offense with a pair of singles, while Jackie Shively, Shara Dyer, and Danielle Herbert each had a double.  On the mound, Heather Clark (13-9) suffered the loss as she allowed seven hits, one walk, and five runs (only one earned) over six innings with two strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

May 3, URBANA UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars scored six unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a close game as MVNU defeated Urbana 7-0 in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader to claim the final spot in the AMC playoffs.  Shannon Rachel (10-7) notched her first shutout of the season as she allowed just five hits and no walks over seven innings with two strikeouts.  Offensively, Stephanie Johnson and Tiffany Simpson each had two hits with Johnson driving in a pair of runs.  Sara Schwartz also added a two-run single.  BOXSCORE

May 3, URBANA UNIVERSITY
MVNU kept its playoff hopes alive as the Lady Cougars rallied with five runs in their final two at bats to knock off Urbana 5-4 in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill. Trailing 4-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Sara Schwartz line a two-run single to tie the score and then came around to score on Stephanie Johnson's RBI-double.  Heather Clark (13-8) picked up the win for MVNU as she scattered six hits, two walks, and four runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 30, vs. Olivet Nazarene (IL) University
The ninth-seeded Lady Cougars saw their comeback attempt come up just short as MVNU fell 5-4 to top-seeded Olivet Nazarene, ranked 12th in the latest NAIA national poll, as the Lady Cougars finished fifth at the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament held at Indiana Wesleyan University.  Stephanie Johnson and Shara Dyer each drove in two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as MVNU nearly rallied from a 5-0 deficit.  Johnson, Angie Smith, and Enid Tidyman each had two hits for the Lady Cougars.  On the mound, Heather Clark (12-8) took the loss as she allowed seven hits, three walks, and five runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.  Johnson and Smith were both named to the NCCAA All-National Tournament Team for their performances.  BOXSCORE

April 30, vs. Mid-Continent (KY) University
MVNU, the ninth seed, eliminated sixth-seeded Mid-Continent 2-1 in eight innings in the loser's bracket of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament at Indiana Wesleyan University.  Laura Kot drove in the winning run with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, while Brittany Stroop added a pair of doubles as the Lady Cougars collected just four hits in the game.  Heather Clark (12-7) earned the win on the mound as she allowed just four hits and one unearned run over eight innings with four strikeouts and no walks.  Clark retired the first 14 batters of the game before Mid-Continent finally recorded a hit with two outs in the fifth inning.  BOXSCORE

April 29, vs. Olivet Nazarene (IL) University
The ninth-seeded Lady Cougars fell 9-3 to top-seeded Olivet Nazarene, who is ranked 12th in the latest NAIA national poll, in the second round of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament at Indiana Wesleyan University.  MVNU, which had its eight-game winning streak snapped, out-hit the Lady Tigers 11-5 with Laura Kot, Angie Smith, Brittany Stroop, and Tiffany Simpson each recording two hits.  Shannon Rachel (9-7) took the loss as she allowed five hits, six walks, and nine runs over six innings with two strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 29, vs. Piedmont (GA) College
MVNU, the ninth seed, knocked off eighth-seeded Piedmont 9-1 in the opening round of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament at Indiana Wesleyan University for the team's eighth straight win.  The Lady Cougars pounded out 14 hits with Laura Kot leading the way by going 4-for-4.  Stephanie Johnson and Danielle Herbert each added two hits and a home run apiece, while Angie Smith also had two hits.  On the mound, Heather Clark (11-7) earned the win as she scattered eight hits and one run over six innings with three strikeouts and no walks.  BOXSCORE

April 24, at Geneva (PA) College
Heather Clark (10-7) allowed just four hits and one unearned run with five strikeouts as the Lady Cougars held on for a 2-1 victory at Geneva in the second game of a non-conference twinbill.  Jackie Shively led the MVNU offensive attack with three hits, while Shara Dyer added two hits.  Danielle Herbert also hit the first home run of her career.  BOXSCORE

April 24, at Geneva (PA) College
MVNU rallied from a 5-1 deficit to defeat Geneva 7-5 in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader.  The Lady Cougars were down to their final out in the top of the seventh inning trailing 5-3 when MVNU used five hits and a walk to score four runs to complete the come-from-behind win.  Shannon Rachel (9-6) retired the final eight batters of the game as she earned the win by scattering 10 hits, one walk, and five runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.  Offensively, Shara Dyer and Stephanie Johnson each had two hits.  BOXSCORE

April 23, vs. Malone College
Sara Schwartz hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a 5-5 tie as the Lady Cougars rallied from a 5-1 deficit to defeat  Malone 7-5 at the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament at Geneva (PA) College to earn a berth in the NCCAA National Tournament.  Schwartz went 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Stephanie Johnson added a homer, a double, a single, and four RBI.  Laura Kot also registered three hits.  Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (8-6) picked up the win as she scattered eight hits, one walk, and five runs over five innings.  Heather Clark notched her second save of the year by throwing two scoreless innings of relief as she allowed just three hits.  BOXSCORE

April 23, vs. Malone College
MVNU pounded out 11 hits as the Lady Cougars defeated Malone 8-2 at the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament at Geneva (PA) College.  Laura Kot paced the offense with three hits, while Brittany Stroop hit a two-run homer.  Tiffany Simpson and Shara Dyer also had two hits apiece.  On the mound, Heather Clark (9-7) earned the win as she allowed just five hits and two runs over seven innings with six strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 22, at Notre Dame College
The Lady Cougars scored a run in the top of the seventh inning on a single by Stephanie Johnson to pull out a 3-2 win at Notre Dame in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader.  Johnson led the offense with two hits and two RBI, while Laura Kot added two singles and scored a run.  Meanwhile, Heather Clark (8-7) earned the win on the mound as she allowed six hits, one walk, and two runs over seven innings with seven strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 22, at Notre Dame College
MVNU used a three-run fifth inning to take control of the first game of a non-conference twinbill at Notre Dame as the Lady Cougars prevailed 5-3.  MVNU managed just five hits in the game, but the Lady Cougars took advantage of four errors by the Falcons.  Angie Smith had a two-run double, while Stephanie Johnson, Danielle Herbert, Jackie Shively, and Tiffany Simpson each singled.  On the mound, Shannon Rachel (7-6) picked up the win as she scattered 10 hits, two walks, and three runs over seven innings with three strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 20, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
The Lady Cougars pulled out a dramatic 3-2 victory in eight innings against Rio Grande in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill.  Stephanie Johnson's one-out single plated Laura Kot with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.  Kot paced the offense by going 3-for-4, while Johnson added a pair of hits.  On the mound, Shannon Rachel (6-6) earned the win as she scattered eight hits, five walks, and two runs over eight innings with four strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 20, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
MVNU dropped a back-and-forth game 5-4 to Rio Grande in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader.  Heather Clark (7-7) suffered the loss on the mound as she allowed nine hits, four walks, and five runs over seven innings with two strikeouts.  Offensively, Danielle Herbert, Sara Schwartz, Jackie Shively, and Angie Smith each had two hits.  BOXSCORE

April 19, at Shawnee State University
The Lady Cougars scored a run in the top of the seventh inning as MVNU pulled out a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Shawnee State in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill.  Heather Clark (7-6) earned the win as she allowed just four hits, two walks, and one run over seven innings with four strikeouts.  Jackie Shively paced the offense by going 3-for-3, while Laura Kot added two hits and drove in the winning run.  BOXSCORE

April 19, at Shawnee State University
MVNU had its four-game winning streak snapped as the Lady Cougars fell 8-3 at Shawnee State in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader.  Shannon Rachel (5-6) took the loss as she allowed 12 hits, one walk, and eight runs over six innings.  Offensively, Danielle Herbert went 3-for-3 as she collected half of the team's six hits, while Stephanie Johnson drove in two runs with a double.  BOXSCORE

April 17, CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars rallied for a 3-2 victory over Cedarville in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill.  All three MVNU runs came as a result of three errors by the Yellow Jackets.  Heather Clark (6-6) earned the win as she scattered eight hits and two runs over seven innings with two strikeouts.  Meanwhile, Melody Blimline collected two of the team's six hits.  BOXSCORE

April 17, CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY
MVNU pulled out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cedarville in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader.  The Lady Cougars broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and then held on for the victory.  Laura Kot and Shara Dyer led the team with a single and a double each, while Stephanie Johnson also doubled.  On the mound, Shannon Rachel (5-5) allowed just five hits and one run with two strikeouts in seven innings to pick up the win.  BOXSCORE

April 16, SAINT VINCENT (PA) COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars recorded their second shutout of the season as MVNU blanked Saint Vincent 6-0 in the second game of a non-conference twinbill.  Heather Clark (5-6) allowed just four hits and three walks over seven innings to pick up the win as she struck out three batters.  Offensively, Laura Kot and Stephanie Johnson each went 3-for-4, while Megan Kunkle added a pair of hits.  BOXSCORE

April 16, SAINT VINCENT (PA) COLLEGE
MVNU rallied from a 3-0 deficit and overcame six errors as the Lady Cougars downed Saint Vincent 5-3 in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader.  Shannon Rachel (4-5) earned the victory as she scattered six hits and three runs - only one earned - over seven innings with six strikeouts.  Meanwhile, Angie Smith led the offense by going 2-for-3 with three RBI.  Megan Kunkle and Stephanie Johnson also added two hits apiece.  BOXSCORE

April 15, at Ohio Dominican University
The Lady Cougars did not record a hit as Ohio Dominican's Katie Moloney tossed a no-hitter as MVNU fell 4-1 at Ohio Dominican in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader. Ashley Reeves scored the Lady Cougars' only run in the top of the fifth inning as the result of two Ohio Dominican errors. Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (3-5) took the loss as she allowed nine hits, three walks, and four runs over six innings with one strikeout.  BOXSCORE

April 15, at Ohio Dominican University
MVNU dropped a 4-2 decision in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader at Ohio Dominican. Heather Clark (4-6) suffered the loss as she allowed nine hits, one walk, and four runs over six innings with one strikeout. Offensively, the Lady Cougars collected just five hits with Laura Kot, Shara Dyer, and Melody Blimline each registering a double.  BOXSCORE

April 9, WALSH UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars were shut out for only the second time this season as MVNU fell 8-0 to Walsh in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader.  Shannon Rachel (3-4) suffered the loss as she allowed 10 hits, two walks, and eight runs (only three earned) over seven innings with three strikeouts.  Meanwhile, Tiffany Simpson collected two of the Lady Cougars' six hits in the game.  BOXSCORE

April 9, WALSH UNIVERSITY
MVNU dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision in nine innings to Walsh in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill.  Heather Clark (4-5) took the hard-luck loss as she scattered 11 hits, one walk, and two runs over nine innings with three strikeouts.  Danielle Herbert paced the Lady Cougars' offense with two hits and one RBI, while Stephanie Johnson added a triple and scored the team's only run.  MVNU's defense turned a season-high three double plays in the game, but the Lady Cougars' also committed three errors that contributed to both of Walsh's runs.  BOXSCORE

April 7, at Seton Hill (PA) University
The Lady Cougars dropped a back-and-forth 7-6 decision at Seton Hill in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader.  Stephanie Johnson, Angie Smith, and Melody Blimline each had two hits to pace the offensive attack.  On the mound, Shannon Rachel (3-3) took the loss as she allowed 12 hits, one walk, and seven runs over six innings with two strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 7, at Seton Hill (PA) University
MVNU matched its season high in runs scored as the Lady Cougars used a 10-run sixth inning to cruise past Seton Hill 16-7 in the first game of a non-conference twinbill.  Stephanie Johnson led the way by going 4-for-5 with five RBI, while Danielle Herbert and Shara Dyer each added two hits and three RBI.  Laura Kot also finished with two hits.  Meanwhile, Heather Clark (4-4) picked up the win on the mound as she scattered eight hits, four walks, and seven runs over six innings with one strikeout.  BOXSCORE

April 6, at Malone College
The Lady Cougars pulled out a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the second game of an American Mideast Conference South Division doubleheader.  Tiffany Simpson's two-out two-run triple in the fifth inning proved to be the difference for MVNU.  Laura Kot also went 3-for-4 to pace the offense.  Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (3-2) earned the victory on the mound as she allowed just five hits, two walks, and one run over seven innings with three strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

April 6, at Malone College
MVNU posted its first shutout of the season as the Lady Cougars blanked Malone 6-0 in the first game of an American Mideast Conference South Division twinbill.  Heather Clark (3-4) took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and allowed just three hits and two walks over seven innings with six strikeouts in posting the win.  Brittany Stroop, Shara Dyer, Melody Blimline, and Danielle Herbert each doubled for MVNU, while Laura Kot added a triple as five of the Lady Cougars' seven hits went for extra bases.  BOXSCORE

March 26, vs. Calvin (MI) College
The Lady Cougars dropped a 6-4 decision to Calvin at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Stephanie Johnson led MVNU by going 3-for-4 with a triple. Angie Smith and Tiffany Simpson each added two hits apiece. Shannon Rachel (2-2) suffered the loss as she allowed eight hits, seven walks, and six runs over seven innings with one strikeout.  BOXSCORE

March 26, vs. University of St. Thomas (MN)
MVNU fell 6-1 to St. Thomas in action at Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (2-4) took the loss as she allowed 11 hits, one walk, and six runs over six innings with two strikeouts. Danielle Herbert led the offense by going 2-for-3 as the Lady Cougars managed just six hits.  BOXSCORE

March 24, vs. DePauw (IN) University
The Lady Cougars pounded out 12 hits as MVNU downed DePauw 10-6 in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida.  Angie Smith led the way by going 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Stephanie Johnson, Danielle Herbert, and Brittany Stroop each added two hits apiece.  Shannon Rachel started on the mound for the Lady Cougars and worked 2 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, three walks, and three runs with one strikeout. Heather Clark (2-3) worked the final 4 1/3 innings and picked up the win as she allowed five hits, two walks, and three runs with one strikeout.  BOXSCORE

March 24, vs. Otterbein College
MVNU took advantage of seven Otterbein errors to pull out a dramatic 7-6 victory in 10 innings at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (1-3) earned the victory as she tossed all 10 innings and allowed seven hits, nine walks, and six runs - only one earned - with nine strikeouts. Offensively, Laura Kot led the way by going 3-for-5, while Angie Smith added two hits and bunted in the winning run.  BOXSCORE

March 22, vs. Sewanee (TN) University
Stephanie Johnson and Laura Kot each went 3-for-4 with a triple as the Lady Cougars held on to beat Sewanee 7-5 at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Shara Dyer also added two hits and two RBI to the 12-hit attack. On the mound, Shannon Rachel (2-1) picked up the win as she allowed just two hits, four walks, and four runs over five innings with six strikeouts. Heather Clark also notched her first save of the season as she worked the final two innings and allowed two hits, one walk, and one unearned run with one strikeout.  BOXSCORE

March 22, vs. University of Wisconsin-Superior
MVNU fell 7-1 to Wisconsin-Superior in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (0-3) suffered the loss as she allowed eight hits, two walks, and seven runs over six innings with five strikeouts. Stephanie Johnson and Danielle Herbert each had two hits for the Lady Cougars, who committed four errors in the game.  BOXSCORE

March 20, vs. University of Massachusetts Liberal Arts
The Lady Cougars pounded out a season-high 15 hits as MVNU rolled past Massachusetts Liberal Arts 16-1 in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Tiffany Simpson led the offense by going 4-for-4 with four RBI, while Laura Kot, Stephanie Johnson, Jennifer Meade, and Angie Smith each added two hits apiece. Meanwhile, Shannon Rachel (1-1) earned the win on the mound as she allowed just three hits and one unearned run over five innings with three strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

March 20, vs. William Patterson (NJ) College
MVNU suffered a second straight tough loss as the Lady Cougars fell 1-0 to William Patterson, ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III preseason poll, at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Heather Clark (0-2) took the hard-luck loss on the mound as she allowed just three hits, one walk, and one run over seven innings with four strikeouts. Danielle Herbert and Sara Schwartz each collected one hit as MVNU managed just two hits in the game.  BOXSCORE

March 19, vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The Lady Cougars dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Wisconsin-River Falls in action at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Danielle Herbert went 2-for-3 with a triple, while Laura Kot, Brittany Stroop, and Shara Dyer each added a single. Heather Clark (0-1) took the hard-luck loss as she allowed just two hits, one walk, and two unearned runs with six strikeouts.  BOXSCORE

March 19, vs. University of Wisconsin-Superior
MVNU fell 10-2 to undefeated Wisconsin-Superior as the Lady Cougars opened the season at the Orlando Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Florida. Melody Blimline, Jackie Shively, and Shara Dyer each went 2-for-3 with Blimline driving in two runs. Shannon Rachel (0-1) suffered the loss as she allowed six hits, six walks, and 10 runs over five innings with three strikeouts.  BOXSCORE