Senior outfielder Becky Eischens spent part of Friday’s game against Gustavus in the hospital but came back strong in Saturday’s title game, helping the Tommies defeat the Gusties 10-2 and win their eighth consecutive MIAC playoff championship.
Eischens got the worst of a collision at home plate Friday and was tested for concussion symptoms. Eischens, who had three hits and three RBIs Saturday, was cleared to play this morning.
“I got whiplash on my neck, and the mask on my helmet hit my nose. That was kind of the brunt of it,” Eischens said. “It felt good to come back and be able to play.”
The No. 18 Tommies clinched a berth in the NCAA playoffs with the win. They finished the season 39-4 overall and undefeated in the MIAC.
“They’ve worked really hard to be where they’re at,” coach John Tschida said. “If you would have saw us the first week there’s no way you would have thought we’d be nationally ranked.”
Gustavus junior Lisa Klass started the game with a single off St. Thomas senior pitcher Biz Sitzmann (17-1). Klass scored on a throwing error to give the Gusties a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
St. Thomas seniors Erica Wilson and Sydney Marquardt answered in the bottom of the first. Wilson singled, stole second base and scored on a Marquardt single. Wilson was 3-4 with three runs scored, and Marquardt was 4-4 with two runs batted in.
With the game tied 1-1 in the second inning, Eischens hit a line-drive, two-run homer to center field, giving the Tommies a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
“I didn’t know that it cleared the fence,” Eischens said. “It felt like a good line-drive. I didn’t know if it was deep enough, but it felt good.”
“We’re feeling pretty good right now,” Wilson said. “We’re swinging the bats well.”
Wilson was 5-6 with three walks and five runs in three games this weekend. The Tommies recorded 19 hits Saturday against Gustavus.
As the Tommies hit the ball all over the field, Sitzmann threw a six-inning complete game, allowing five hits and one walk. The game ended in the bottom of the sixth due to the eight run rule.
“It’s nice to have a good hitting line up where I can trust that we’ll score more even if they get ahead right away,” Sitzmann said.
Tschida said he feels comfortable with Sitzmann on the mound because she is “even-keeled.” Sitzmann threw a four-hitter against Gustavus Friday.
“She’s a consistent person mentally,” Tschida said. “Usually when a kid is that way they can make adjustments on the mound. We’re pretty confident with her.”
The Tommies will appear in the NCAA tournament for the 14th time in the past 15 years. They expect to play in either Pella, Iowa or Eau Claire, Wis.
“It was good to go undefeated in the MIAC and move on to regionals,” Eischens said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, and I’m excited to see what the next round has.”
Alex Keil can be reached at amkeil@stthomas.edu.