NCAA Regional Champions!

OSHKOSH, Wis. – For the first time in program history, the Falcons are NCAA Division III Regional champions! The 14^th-ranked Concordia Wisconsin softball team capped off the regional with a 1-0 victory over the host Titans of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The victory sends the Blue and White improve to 40-3 on the season and is the first NCAA regional title in any sport at Concordia. The 40 victories are also a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) record. 

The Titans threatened in the first inning with a pair of runners, but senior Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) notched her second strikeout of the inning to ice the threat.

In the bottom half of the first inning, senior Sydney Erdmann (Geneva, Ill.) started the attack with an infield single. After sophomore Jess Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) singled to second base, senior Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) singled to left field to score the lone run of the game when Sydney Erdmann scored from second base.

The Black and Gold filled the bases in the fourth inning with only one out. The birds notched the second out with a pop out to senior Gabbi Gaziano (Beloit, Wis.). Gina Followell then struck out the last Titan, looking. Followell also ended the fifth and sixth innings with a strikeout.

The Falcons' defense posted a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to claim the regional title.

Sydney Erdman, Jess Pozezinski, Claudia Utz, Gabbi Gaziano and senior Ashley Zappa (Zion, Ill.) all had a hit in the victory.

Gina Followell had nine strikeouts in her 27^th victory of the season. The 27 victories are a NACC record.   

Sydney Erdmann, Claudia Utz and junior Madi Wheat (Coweta, Okla.) were named to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin All-Regional Tournament Team, with Gina Followell voted as the Most Valuable Player.

Saturday was the first time this season that the Titans were shut out. 

The Falcons will travel to No. 5 Trine on Friday and Saturday in the NCAA Division III Super Regionals.