Knights Open IIAC Softball Tourney With Win [Video]

When it comes to post-season play, the Wartburg softball team has proven to be a tough opponent. The sixth-seeded Knights opened the Iowa Conference tournament in Decorah with a 7-2 victory over No. 3 seed Buena Vista on Friday (May, 6, 2016).

Since league officials re-started the conference tourney in 2006, Wartburg is 12-2. The Knights will look to improve on that record when they face second-seeded Simpson in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. today.

The Knights (18-23 overall) opened the scoring in the first inning when sophomore Katie Sommer (Cedar Rapids) crossed the plate on a ground out by classmate Mara Forsyth (Charles City).

Wartburg added to its 1-0 advantage in the fourth inning when Forsyth scored on an error by the Buena Vista's catcher, who threw the ball into left field trying to get the Knights' runner out at third base.

In the circle, Wartburg starting pitcher Kimberly Wedeking took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The junior hurler pitched the complete game to earn the win.

In the fifth, the Beavers (20-16) knotted the score. They scored on an RBI single and a fielding error to tie the game at 2-all, but they would the only runs of the game for Buena Vista.

The Knights broke out the bats in their next at-bat as all nine players came to the plate in the frame. Wartburg tallied four runs on five hits, which included three-straight doubles.

Forsyth accounted for the Knights' final run with her solo home run in the seventh inning. On the day, Forsyth went 3-for-4 at the plate, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.

The loss eliminated Buena Vista from the tournament. The Beavers swept Wartburg during the regular-season.

Video Courtesy: Wartburg Knights via YouTube