MACOMB, Ill.  -  The Western Illinois softball team was defeated, 3-2, by North Dakota State in The Summit League Softball Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.

The Westerwinds (34-19) had a one run advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth until the Bison (35-18) scored three runs in the inning to take a two-run lead over the purple and gold.

Down one out in the top of the seventh, Colleen Biebel started the rally for the Westerwinds as she singled down the left-field line. Julie DePolo doubled to left center on the next play, giving Western runners on second and third. Lauren Furgala drove in a Western runner to cut the deficit to one as the Bison right fielder misplayed the hit ball to the warning track. After a Jamie Goss intentional walk loaded the bases with still only one out in the inning, Erin Schlotfeldt fouled out to the Bison catcher for the second out of the inning. The rally fell short on the next play as Beth Golitko flied out to left field, ending the season for the Westerwinds.

Western was able to get on the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth as Bison pitcher Andi Padilla walked Golitko with the bases loaded, giving Western a 1-0 lead with only one out in the inning. The Westerwinds were unable to take advantage of the bases load situation as a Lori Pankratz fly out to second base and a Nikki Marinec ground out ended the inning.

The Westerwinds and the Bison both collected six hits in the contest as well as committing two errors each. Western stranded a total of 10 runners on base in the loss, two more than the Bison.

DePolo led the offense as she went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run. Furgala and Golitko added an RBI in the contest and Biebel chipped in with a run.

Kamren Ferguson (22-9) picked up the loss in the circle, throwing one strike out and allowing six hits.

Four Westerwinds in Biebel, DePolo, Ferguson and Furgala were named to the 2009 all-Summit League Tournament team at the awards ceremony following the game.

2009 Summit League All-Tournament Team

Colleen Biebel, Western Illinois
Kristina Brooks, Southern Utah
Kelly Cantrell, North Dakota State
Julie DePolo, Western Illinois
Kamren Ferguson, Western Illinois
Caroline Fernandez, Southern Utah
Lauren Furgala, Western Illinois
Breanna Konz, North Dakota State
Taylor Lynn, North Dakota State
Bonnie Matak, Centenary
Katie Matthews, Centenary
Andi Padilla, North Dakota State (MVP)
Jenavieve Purcell, Southern Utah
Elisa Victa, North Dakota State

Postgame quotes
Head coach Holly Van Vlymen

Post-tournament thoughts

“The girls were on a mission. One of their goals was to win the tournament and once we lost the first game, we said we would approach the rest of the tournament game-by-game and that is exactly what they did. The girls played tough-fought games and I am proud of them. After winning the first game in 10 innings, I did not know how they would come out the next game, but they were on fire and really wanted it. I was very proud of their effort and how they went out and won the first game against the Bison."

“I am proud of Kamren (Ferguson). She pitched amazing this weekend, and I can't say enough good things about her as well as Nikki (Marinec) because called great games from behind the plate.”

“We are excited that we return most of this team next year. The loss of Courtney (Jacobson) and Tiffany (Beard) is going to be tough, but we have five newcomers coming in next fall. It is sad ending the season this way, but it's also exciting to look ahead to see what next year is going to be like.”