BenU Softball Earns NCAA Automatic Bid

After defeating Aurora University 4-1 in the semifinal game of the Northern Athletics Conference championship, the Benedictine University softball team downed the Spartans, 2-1, in a nine inning championship game to earn the automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

Tied at one in the bottom of the ninth, Brittany Wolski led off the inning with a double to left field. Brittany Adcox advanced the runner to third with a sac bunt and Kara Walsh reached first with a base on balls. With runners at the corners, Cassie Cappetto drove in the winning run on a fielder’s choice to give the Eagles the 2-1 win and the title of NAC champions.

Adcox received her second win of the day, allowing just one earned run and one strikeout in 9.0 innings. At the plate, Adcox was 2-3 with a homerun in the third while Sam Corban was 3-4.

Benedictine earns the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced on Monday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m. The Athletic Department will host a selection show viewing party at the Coal Ben beginning at 10:45 a.m. which is open to all students, faculty, staff and fans.