Highlights

Campus News

Wildcat Weekly Minute for Nov. 17, 2011

A look at what's happening on campus this week.

Faith

Cleansed through the Cross

Dr. Quarles speaks on the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice at weekly chapel

Sports

LC hoops teams wrap up homestand with pair of wins

Off to Ozarks, UT-Dallas next

Organizations

LC media student give to Toys for Tots

More than 100 toys will help local charity

Campus Life

February is Heart Health Awareness Month

Stay healthy and 'God Red'

Culture

All the Shakespeare you could laugh at… and more!

tlc's adaptation of 'Shakespeare Abridged' pulls out all the stops

Special Coverage

LC brings another successful ‘Follow the Star’

'Christmas on the Hill' and 'Gala' add to festive weekend

LC defense, pitching key to win in Regional opener

by Al Quartemont

Lady Cats top La Verne 1-0

LC junior catcher Amber Thomas has struggled at the plate this year. But, if there were any question as to why coach Tim Whitman keeps Thomas in the lineup, it was answered in a huge way Friday.

With the Lady Wildcats clinging to a 1-0 lead in the 6th inning of their NCAA Division III Regional with La Verne (Calif.), the Leopards had runners and first and second with one out when Thomas gunned down La Verne's speedy Melissa Carlson at third base. Thomas's throw to shortstop Mary Alice Roy, who was covering the base after Devan Greene had to come in on a bunt attempt, was in the only spot it could have been to secure the out on Carlson who had stolen 38 bases coming into the game. It effectively ended the largest scoring threat of the day for the Leopards and allowed LC starter Rene' Schwartzenburg to go on to secure the shutout by that same score of 1-0.

With the win, LC advanced to Saturday's noon game to face either East Texas Baptist or Mississippi College.

"We made the plays to win, as usual," said Schwartzenburg, who improved to 26-2 on the season with a 2-hitter. "To me, our team is flawless and amazing. I'm just grateful to be part of it."

And the Lady Wildcats are grateful to have Schwartzenburg who again showed her All-American form, holding the Leopards to just four baserunners all game. Carlson and Tara Allis had the only two hits of the game. Dee Dee Burns reached on a walk and Mandy Brenner was hit by a pitch. Schwartzenburg struck out eight batters in the game while having to overcome the hot and humid conditions that hadn't hit Pineville for the 2010 season until the start of the Regional.

"It wasn't that bad," Schwartzenburg said of working in the heat. "We've been practicing all week in it, so we're actually used to it. We live down here, so that's to our advantage."

What wasn't to LC's advantage was having not played for nearly two weeks. After winning the American Southwest Conference Tournament on May 1, the Lady Wildcats hadn't faced any live pitching, and that fact seemed to show up Friday as LC could only come up with three hits off La Verne's starter Delaney Baylor and reliever Brittney Flores. What helped the Wildcats considerably was the fact they worked eight walks in the game, six of them off Baylor. But, LC failed to take advantage most of the time, stranding 11 runners over seven innings.

LC's only run, and ultimately the game-winner, came in the third inning when Roy reached on an infield single with one out. Following a single to left by Jodi Montagnino, and a popout to shortstop by Ashleigh Clement, LC caught a break when La Verne shortstop Ashley Paul played a ground ball by Leslie Eastham by trying to get Montagnino at second base, only to see Montagnino beat the throw. That allowed the inning to continue with the bases loaded for LC, and Greene followed with a walk to force in Roy with what wound up being the only run of the game.

"It's a big win for us," Whitman said. "Rene' pitched her guts out for seven innings. That's a tough team we beat. Offensively, we were a bit sluggish, but I'm proud of the kids. Any time you can get a win at a regional tournament, we'll take it every time."

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