Angola, Ind. – The Wheaton softball team (32-14) had its record-setting season ended on Friday afternoon in a hard-fought 1-0 loss to University of Chicago (27-9). Wheaton's 32 wins this year is the most in program history, among more than 15 other records that were broke this year. Chicago advances to face host Trine University on Saturday at noon (EDT) in the championship round of the regional.

Chicago scored one run, coming in the top of the first inning. The Maroons tallied six hits with no errors. Wheaton had no runs, on four hits, with two errors.

Thunder starting pitcher Kendall Kehres (5-3) worked one inning, allowing one earned run, on three hits. Katie Thornton pitched six scoreless innings as she scattered three hits, with two strikeouts and one walk.

Senior Emily Bonga (PICTURED LEFT) was 2-for-3 at the plate for Wheaton. Alyssa Leonard and Katie Thornton each tallied singles to account for Wheaton's four hits in the matchup.  

Chicago starter Molly Moran had a strong effort in the circle as she worked seven scoreless innings. The sophomore scattered four hits, with four walks and four strikeouts.

Head coach Katie East reflected on the season, "These seniors made an impact on this program over the last four years." She continued, "This was a special team this year. We worked really hard to get to where we got and this was a special team one through 18. They all left it out there, whether they were cheering, pinch hitting, pinch running, playing, all-region, all-conference, all-american we had a phenomenal team this year. Talent-wise I could not have asked for better girls who served this team and each other so well."


Chicago's Kristin Lopez hit a home run over the fence in left field in the top of the first inning to give the Maroons a 1-0 lead. Thunder leftfielder Alyssa Leonard (PICTURED RIGHT) made a sensational catch in the field to prevent a third Chicago hit in the inning. Megan Neuhaus drew a walk in the bottom of the first and Katie Thornton collected a single, but Moran worked out of it to prevent Wheaton runs in the first.

Katie Thornton entered the game as a reliever with one out and two Chicago baserunners in the top of the second inning and worked out of the jam to keep the Maroons lead at 1-0 after 1-1/2 innings. Moran limited Wheaton to one hit in the bottom of the second inning.

Neither team scored in their respective portion of the third inning. Chicago's leadoff hitter in the top of the fourth inning reached on a Wheaton error. However, Thunder catcher Ellen Radandt and shortstop Megan Neuhaus connected to throw out their second Chicago baserunner of the game to stop the Maroons' run-scoring opportunity.

Sanstedt and Yergler each drew a walk in the bottom of the fourth, however, Moran worked out of the situation as Chicago maintained its 1-0 lead.

Chicago mustered a walk in the top of the fifth, but Thornton did not give up a hit in the inning. Alyssa Leonard smoked a single into center field to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Moran struck out two batters and induced a groundout to prevent Leonard from scoring.

Chicago's Maggie O'Hara collected an infield hit with one out in the top of the sixth inning, but Wheaton held the Maroons in check for the remainder of the inning. Wheaton was three-up-and-three down in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Chicago was unable to capitalize on a Thunder error in the top of the seventh as the Maroons' lead stayed at 1-0 as the game headed to the bottom of the seventh inning. Emily Bonga opened the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield hit. A pop-up followed for the first out and a line-out double play to second base on a strong defensive play by the Maroons' infield ended the game.

NOTE WORTHY: The program established a single-season record for wins (32) this year...offensively the team set new single-season records for at-bats (1,278), runs (279), hits (397), triples (18), home runs (32), RBI (240) and total bases (600)...the squad set a new record for team ERA (1.77 ERA) and innings pitched (309)...defensively the squad established new milestones for putouts, total chances and assists...Katie Thornton's 0.78 ERA this year is the lowest in program history and she also established school single-season records for wins (24), strikeouts (180), appearances (40) and innings pitched (225-1/3)...Hannah Clark's 115 assists established a new single-season record...Christina Sandstedt's 14 doubles this years is the second-highest single-season total in program history...Katie Yergler's eight triples is second...Alyssa Leonard's 35 runs is fourth...Sandstedt and Kelly Thornton each had eight home runs, tied for second in team history...Sandstedt's 39 RBI is fourth in program history...Katie Thornton and Sandstedt were both named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the Regional.