Stats

May 10, 2007
FIVE PSC PLAYERS VOTED TO ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
A school-record five Prairie State College softball players were recently named to the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference team after a vote by the league coaches.

Sophomore shortstop/catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) earned a spot on the first team, while freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.), freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.), freshman shortstop/catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) and sophomore third baseman/first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) were second-team selections.

In 12 conference games, Bensinger led PSC with a .564 batting average (22-for-39), three home runs, one triple, 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Bensinger, who also contributed three doubles, struck out just once during the conference campaign.

Kornacki, a .450 hitter (18-for-40) in ISCC play, had a team-best seven doubles and placed second with two home runs, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Kurcz, meanwhile, accounted for all five of the Pioneers’ conference victories en route to tallying a 5-3 record, 2.69 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Poortenga ranked second among the Pioneers with a .467 conference batting average (14-for-30) and first with six walks and five stolen bases. She also recorded two doubles, five RBIs and seven runs scored in 10 league games (missed two games due to injury).

Whitehead’s conference totals included a .417 batting average (15-for-36), two doubles, six RBIs and six runs. In the last four games of the conference season, Whitehead hit .667 (10-for-15) with five RBIs and four runs scored.

Prairie State tied for fifth among seven teams in the ISCC standings with a 5-7 record. Overall, the Pioneers were 13-29.

May 1, 2007
PSC CONCLUDES SEASON AT REGION TOURNAMENT
One victory was all that separated the Prairie State College softball team from earning a trip to the NJCAA Region IV Tournament semifinals as the Pioneers, the No. 7 seed, opened its best-of-three series against No. 2 College of Lake County with a 2-1 victory Tuesday in Grayslake.

PSC’s upset bid, however, was thwarted when the Lancers responded with 4-1 and 8-3 wins. With the two setbacks, Prairie State saw its season come to a close with a 13-29 record.

In Game 1, freshman third baseman Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) had both RBIs for the Pioneers when she doubled home sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.), who also reached on a double, in the first inning before singling in sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) with the game-winning run in the fifth.

Barnes, Rossi and sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) each had two hits in the opener.

Freshman Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) pitched one of her better games of the season, striking out nine - her second-highest total of the year - and allowing just two hits along with the one run in the third inning.

All of four of Lake County’s runs in Game 2 came in the first inning to give the hosts a lead it would not surrender. Rossi scored Prairie State’s lone run in the third when she singled before coming home on freshman center fielder’s Kristina Kornacki’s (Highland, Ind. H.S.) double.

Bensinger and freshman shortstop Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) added a hit in the second game as well.

Kurcz was dealt the loss in Game 2 despite giving up just two earned runs, four hits and a walk in five innings. Her pitching totals also included five strike outs.

The Lancers had another quick start in the finale, jumping out to a 3-0 first-inning lead. But PSC tied it after scoring a pair of runs in the third and one in the fourth.

CLC tallied the final five runs, plating two in the sixth inning and three in the seventh. The Pioneers’ defense didn’t help matters in those two innings after committing five errors.

Kornacki led the offense with two hits, while Poortenga contributed an RBI double. Whitehead and Bensinger also had a hit and an RBI.

Kurcz (12-14) was the pitcher of record for PSC. Of the eight runs she gave up, only three were earned. The right-hander finished with five strikeouts.

April 26, 2007
BENSINGER NAMED NJCAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore catcher/shortstop Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) of the Prairie State College softball team was named as the NJCAA Division II Player of the Week on Wednesday for the seven-day period ending April 22.

In seven games, Bensinger totaled a .778 batting average (21-of-27) with four home runs, four doubles, one triple, 20 RBIs and 14 runs scored. She had multiple hits in all seven games, including five three-hit performances and a 4-for-4 showing in a 14-6 win over McHenry County College on April 17. Bensinger also knocked in at least one run each time out.

In the McHenry contest, Bensinger tallied two home runs, a double four RBIs and four runs scored. She followed that with a 3-for-3 outing against Danville Area Community College that consisted of a homer, two doubles and five RBIs.

The McHenry and Danville games were part of a stretch in which Bensinger hit safely in 11 consecutive plate appearances. In that 11-for-11 streak, Bensinger had three home runs, three doubles, nine RBIs and eight runs scored.

For the season, Bensinger owns a .368 batting average with four home runs, two triples, nine doubles, 30 RBIs and 27 runs scored.

Prairie State, which posted a 3-4 record during the week, is 12-27 overall.

April 19, 2007
PIONEERS CONCLUDE CONFERENCE SEASON WITH SPLIT
Entering its final Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheader of the season Thursday in Chicago Heights, the Prairie State College softball team needed a sweep in order to finish .500 in league play. But the Pioneers were unable to reach their goal after splitting with Oakton Community College to conclude ISCC competition with a 5-7 mark.

Oakton won Game 1 14-7 while PSC captured the nightcap 17-8. Overall, Prairie State is 12-27 for the year.

Sophomore pitcher Erin Palm (Crete-Monee H.S.) and sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) both went 3-for-4 in the opener, with Bensinger knocking in two runs. Sophomore center fielder Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.), sophomore third baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.), freshman second baseman Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) and freshman catcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) all recorded two hits. Bensinger and Kornacki each scored twice.

The Pioneers had a strong start in Game 1, scoring three runs in the first inning. But the Raiders, who were trailing 3-1 after three innings, plated six runs in the fourth to go in front for good. PSC added three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.

Prairie State also jumped out to an early lead in the finale, tallying five runs in the first inning and three in both the second and third. Oakton got on the board with a two-run second and followed with six in the third to make it 11-8.

Kurcz pitched three scoreless innings in relief, during which time she allowed two hits and struck out four to earn the win and improve her record to 11-12.

Whitehead, Kornacki and freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) all had three hits. In addition, Whitehead had four RBIs, Hall knocked in two runs and Kornacki scored twice.

Bensinger and Palm totaled two hits apiece. Kurcz scored four times, and freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) contributed two RBIs and two runs.

April 18, 2007
EARLY LEAD BY PRAIRIE STATE DOESN’T HOLD UP
When the Prairie State College softball team opened up a 4-0 second-inning lead over Danville Area Community College on Wednesday in Chicago Heights, the Pioneers looked to be on their way to their 12th victory of the season. But the Jaguars batted around in each of the next three innings to overcome the early deficit en route to an 18-8 win.

Sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) continued her torrid pace, finishing 3-for-3 at the plate with a two-run homer, two doubles, five RBIs and two runs scored. Her home run was part of a four-run fourth inning that closed PSC’s (11-26) deficit to 12-8.

In the last five games, Bensinger is 16-for-19 at the plate (.842) and has totaled 16 RBIs, four home runs, three doubles and nine runs scored.

Freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki’s (Highland, Ind, H.S.) outing included a 3-for-4 showing at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI.

After scoring five runs in the third inning, Danville tallied seven in the fourth and six in the fifth.

April 17, 2007
PSC’S OFFENSE CONTINUES TO PUT UP BIG NUMBERS IN SPLIT
When the Prairie State College softball team took the field Tuesday in Chicago Heights against McHenry County College, its revitalized offense was averaging nearly nine runs in each of its last six games. The Pioneers’ numbers continued to rise after they scored 20 runs in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference doubleheader, which ended in a split as PSC lost 12-6 in Game 1 before coasting to a 14-6 win in the finale.

Sophomore shortstop Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.), who was 7-for-8 with five RBIs in the two games, went 3-for-4 in the opener, as did freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.).

Sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.), freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman third baseman Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) all had two hits in the first game. Also in Game 1, Poortenga recorded two RBIs and Barnes scored twice.

After both teams scored twice in the first inning, McHenry went ahead for good when it plated three runs in the second. Prairie State would not get within three runs the rest of the way.

Bensinger led the way in the Game 2 victory with her perfect 4-for-4 showing at the plate that included two home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored. Whitehead, Poortenga and freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) each finished with three hits, while Barnes contributed two.

Whitehead, Kornacki and Barnes scored two runs apiece in the victory, and Hall drove in a pair.

The Pioneers totaled a season-high 20 hits, with each of the 10 players recording at least one.

PSC led from start to finish, scoring two in the first inning, four in the third, one in the fourth and seven in the fifth.

Freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) upped her record to 10-11 with the Game 2 win.

April 16, 2007
PIONEERS SPLIT WITH CONFERENCE CO-LEADER
Coming off an impressive 3-2 showing at the Highland Community College Tournament, which culminated with a 17-0 shutout over Elgin Community College on Sunday, the Prairie State College softball team traveled to Palos Hills on Monday to face Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference front runner Moraine Valley Community College.

The Pioneers showed they have the ability to compete with the league’s best as they earned a split. PSC dropped the opener 5-4 but won 7-4 in Game 2 to move to 3-5 in conference play and 10-23 overall.

Prairie State could have easily recorded a sweep, but three unearned runs, including the game-winner in the seventh, led to the 5-4 setback.

Moraine Valley scored four runs in the second inning of Game 1 to jump out to an early lead, but sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) had an RBI single in the third inning to cut it to 4-1. The Pioneers made it a one-run game in the fourth when freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) singled home two.

Bensinger tied the score at 4-4 in the sixth inning when she tallied her third hit of the game - a two-out bunt - that scored freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.), who was 2-for-3.

Sophomore right fielder Erin Palm (Crete-Monee H.S.) and freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) also had two hits in Game 1.

PSC used the long ball in the finale to help it earn the 7-4 victory. Kornacki led off the first inning with a solo home run, while Bensinger concluded another three-hit game with a grand slam in the fifth.

Bensinger’s blast extended Prairie State’s lead to 7-2. Moraine Valley closed the gap to three runs after scoring two runs in the seventh.

Kornacki and freshman shortstop Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) both authored two hits in the win.

Kurcz went the distance on the mound in both games to see her season record jump to 8-11. She struck out four in each game and allowed a total of five earned runs.

April 14-15, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE GOES 3-2 AT HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT
After being no-hit in the first game of the Highland Community College Tournament on Saturday, the Prairie State College softball team bounced back with a 3-1 record for the remaining four contests to finish 3-2 overall at the two-day event in Freeport.

Waubonsee Community College held PSC hitless in the opener to win 4-0, but the Pioneers concluded Day 1 on a positive note, downing South Suburban College 9-3. In Sunday’s tripleheader, PSC defeated McHenry County College 11-7, lost 12-4 to College of Lake County and capped off the tournament with its best performance of the year, winning 17-0 over Elgin Community College.

Freshman pitcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) used her arm as well as her bat to power Prairie State to the win against South Suburban. The right-hander picked up her first win of the campaign after striking out a career-best nine hitters, and she was 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple, a double, three runs scored and two RBIs.

Freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) added three hits, including two doubles, and three runs, while freshman first baseman Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Sophomore right fielder Erin Palm (Crete-Monee H.S.) also had two hits.

The Pioneers never trailed in the game, opening up a 5-0 lead in the third inning. The Bulldogs scored once in the fourth and twice in the fifth to make it 5-3, but PSC tallied four runs in its half of the fifth to up the lead to 9-3.

Prairie State’s offense also put up some impressive numbers in the 11-7 win over McHenry. Freshman third baseman Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) accounted for six of the runs after hitting a grand slam in the first inning and a two-run homer in the seventh. Her blast in the seventh was part of a five-run inning that enabled the Pioneers to erase a 7-6 deficit and pull out the four-run victory.

Kurcz and freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) both had three hits and scored three runs. Kurcz, the winning pitcher, also finished with two triples and three RBIs. Poortenga’s numbers included two hits and two runs scored.

McHenry scored five runs in the third inning and two in the fourth to claim a 7-4 lead. But PSC scored the final seven run, tallying two in the fifth before tacking on five in the seventh.

Prairie State looked to be on course for a win against Lake County as it took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Lancers, however, answered with five runs in the second and six in the third to put the game out of reach.

Kornacki had two singles, and sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) notched a single and two RBIs.

The 17-0 triumph marked the Pioneers’ top scoring total of the year and the pitching staff’s second shutout.

Poortenga, Kurcz and Barnes all homered. Kurcz led the team with three hits to go along with three RBIs, and Poortenga authored four RBIs and two hits.

Kornacki and sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) each compiled two hits and three runs. Kornacki and Barnes also knocked in two runs apiece.

Kurcz (7-10) pitched the first four innings and struck out two and yielded two hits. Bensinger pitched the final inning and retired the side in order to preserve the two-hit shutout.

Prairie State led just 1-0 after two innings but broke the game open in the third when it scored eight runs. The Pioneers tacked on two more in the fourth before closing out the scoring with a six-run sixth.

After being held hitless against Waubonsee, Kurcz went 9-for-15 (.600) in the final four games to raise her season average from .153 to .243. The nine hits Kurcz recorded equaled her total for the first 26 games of the season.

Likewise, Bensinger doubled her RBI total for the season in the last four games as she knocked in five to up her overall output to 10.

April 10, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE’S THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK HALTED
Five outs away from extending its season-long three-game winning streak, the Prairie State College softball team yielded three runs to College of Lake County in an eventual 3-2 Game 1 loss for the Pioneers on Tuesday in Chicago Heights. The Lancers completed the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference sweep, winning the nightcap 10-2 in five innings.

PSC (6-20, 2-4 ISCC) opened up a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning of Game 1 when sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) doubled before scoring on freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga’s (Illiana Christian H.S.) two-out single.

But Prairie State’s lead wouldn’t hold up very long as CLC answered with a three-run one-out home run in the sixth inning. The Pioneers would get one of those runs back in their half of the sixth when freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point H.S.) doubled and freshman third baseman Amber Barnes (Highland H.S.) followed with an RBI single.

Poortenga, who was 4-for-4 in the opener, represented the tying run in the seventh inning when she singled, but she was left stranded at first base.

Whitehead was 2-for-3 at the plate, while Kurcz’s pitching totals included eight hits, one walk and four strikeouts.

Lake County did all of its Game 2 scoring in two innings as they tallied three runs in the first inning and seven in the fourth. PSC had its offensive production in the fourth inning when Poortenga and freshman pitcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) singled and scored on freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki’s (Highland H.S.) double. Those accounted for all three of Prairie State’s hits in the contest.

April 9, 2007
PSC RECORDS DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP
Winter-like weather conditions forced the Prairie State College softball team to take an eight-day layoff. But the time off appears to have paid dividends as the Pioneers swept Elgin Community College on Monday in Elgin, winning 2-1 in eight innings and 7-4.

With the victories in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference play, PSC evened its league record at 2-2 and extended its season-best winning streak to three games to up its overall mark to 6-18.

Freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point H.S.) was nearly unhitable in Game 1, giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. She allowed both hits in the fifth inning, enabling the Chargers to take a 1-0 lead.

The score would remain that way until the top-of-the-seventh inning when Kurcz helped her own cause by singling with one out. Sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) followed with a single that allowed Kurcz to score all the way from first base and send the game into extra innings.

Prairie State didn't wait long to tally the go-ahead run. After an error to open the eighth inning, freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland H.S.) connected on an RBI double to seal the victory.

The Pioneers’ offense showed no signs of letting up in the nightcap, scoring four times in the first inning, once in the second and twice more in the third to pull away 7-0.

Kornacki supplied three of the markers on one swing of the bat in the first inning when she hit a three-run homer to center field.

Kurcz also earned the win in the finale after pitching the first four innings, during which time she blanked the Spartans on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts. With the two wins, Kurcz’s record jumps to 6-8.

Freshman Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.), who scored two runs in Game 2, pitched the final three innings to record the save. Sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) also scored twice in the second game.

April 1, 2007
PIONEERS SPLIT WITH KISHWAUKEE
Rebounding from a 13-2 Game 1 loss, the Prairie State College softball team defeated Kishwaukee College 8-5 in the back end of Sunday's doubleheader to earn a split in Chicago Heights.

In the nightcap win, the Pioneers (4-18) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after an RBI single by freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) knocked in freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), who also singled.

The Kougars scored three runs in the fourth to jump ahead 3-1, but in its most productive inning of the year, PSC tallied seven runs on five hits in the bottom half of the fourth. Freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christina H.S.) delivered a two-run home run that caromed off of the left field scoreboard. Later in the inning, freshman right fielder Lisa Haynes (Lemont H.S.) hit a bags-clearing double with the bases loaded to tack on three more runs.

Also contributing to the fourth-inning scoring were freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.), who had an RBI double, and sophomore first baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.), who singled in a run.

Kishwaukee scored one run in the sixth and once more in the seventh to end the game with a three-run deficit.

Eight Prairie State players had a hit as well as a run scored in Game 2, including Haynes, who was 2-for-3 with a run to go along with her three RBIs.

The Pioneers' offense was not nearly as effective in the opener, compiling their two runs and three hits for the game in the fifth inning. Barnes and sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) had a single and double, respectively, before scoring in the fifth.

Whitehead also had a single.

Freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) went the distance in both games. With the split, her record moved to 4-8 for the season.

March 29, 2007
PRAIRIE STATE OPENS CONFERENCE SEASON
The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference softball season commenced Thursday with Prairie State College losing to Waubonsee Community College 8-0 and 11-1 in doubleheader play in Sugar Grove.

PSC (3-17) finished with a total of four hits in the twinbill, tallying two in each game. Sophomore third baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) and sophomore catcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) each singled in the opener, while freshmen outfielders Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) registered a double and single, respectively, in Game 2.

Kornacki’s single in the nightcap knocked in the Pioneers’ lone run of the day in the top-of-the-third inning, giving the guests a 1-0 lead. But the Chiefs went ahead for good in the bottom-of-the-third when they scored three times. They added three more runs in the fifth inning and their final five in the sixth.

Waubonsee used balanced scoring in Game 1, producing runs in five of the six innings.

March 26
PIONEERS DROP A PAIR TO CALUMET
Twenty-four hours after returning form a 3-9 spring trip to Florida, the Prairie State College softball team was back on the field as it traveled to Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Ind., for a doubleheader Monday.

Despite jumping out to a quick 3-0 first-inning lead in Game 1, the Pioneers were eventually swept, losing 14-6 in the opener and 10-2 in Game 2.

Although it lost the first game by eight runs, PSC very easily could have been victorious. Five errors, however, enabled the hosts to score 12 unearned runs, including all eight markers in the first inning.

Freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the opener, while freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) led the way in the finale with two hits, including a double.

Calumet opened the scoring in Game 2 with a five-run second inning. It would remain that way until the sixth when the Pioneers scored both of their runs. The Crimson Wave came back with five runs of their own in their half of the sixth.

March 24
PRAIRIE STATE CONCLUDES SPRING TRIP
With doubleheader splits in each of the previous two days, the Prairie State College softball team entered its final twinbill at the Disney Softball Spring Training Tournament in Orlando, Fla., with momentum on its side when it took the field Saturday against Southern New Hampshire University.

PSC’s quest to add to its win total was thwarted primarily due to a Southern New Hampshire offense that registered 31 runs and 39 hits en route to 12-1 and 19-5 victories.

The losses send the Pioneers home with an overall record of 3-13, including a 3-9 showing in Florida.

Prairie State scored its only run in the opener in the first inning on an RBI single by freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.). Freshman right fielder Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) accounted for PSC’s other two hits after she doubled and singled.

The Penmen, who led 6-1 after five innings, put the game out of reach when they scored six times in the sixth.

Sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) was the Pioneers’ top hitter in Game 2 as she was 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. Freshman pitcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) supplied a two-run single.

After a scoreless first inning, Prairie State scored all five of its runs in the top-of-the-second to take its only lead of the day. Southern New Hampshire responded with six runs in the bottom-half of the second and pulled away 14-5 with an eight-run fourth. The Penmen added their remaining five runs in the fifth.

March 23
KURCZ AND PIONEERS BLANK ANCILLA
Three days after recording her first collegiate win, freshman pitcher Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) tossed her first shutout in a Prairie State College softball uniform to lift the Pioneers to a 6-0 victory over Ancilla College (Ind.) Friday at the Disney Softball Spring Training Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

PSC’s bid for a doubleheader sweep was denied by the Chargers, who won the nightcap 9-8. The split leaves Prairie State with a 3-11 mark for the year.

In registering the whitewash, Kurcz (3-5) struck out five and allowed three hits and two walks. She received plenty of offensive support as the Pioneers totaled 12 hits, including three from both sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) and freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) and two apiece from freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) and sophomore third baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.).

Hall also contributed three RBIs while Poortenga knocked in two. Rossi and sophomore first baseman Erin Palm (Crete-Monee H.S.) each scored twice.

The opener was scoreless until PSC struck with three runs in the top-of-the-fifth inning. Five consecutive hits ignited the rally. Four hits coupled with an error enabled Prairie State to tack on its final three runs in the seventh inning.

The Pioneers looked to be on their way to a sweep when they scored four runs in both the first and second innings of Game 2 to garner an 8-0 lead. But they were held scoreless the remainder of the contest.

Ancilla got on the board for the first time of the afternoon in the fourth inning when it scored a pair of runs. The Chargers added two more in the fifth, four in the sixth and the game winner in the seventh.

PSC had a season-best 13 hits in the loss, with freshman pitcher Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) leading the way with three. Rossi, Poortenga and Whitehead all had two hits.

Poortenga and freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) both knocked in two runs, and Rossi and Hall each scored twice.

March 22, 2007
PSC GETS BACK IN WIN COLUMN WITH SPLIT
After playing six games in the first two days at Disney’s Softball Spring Training Tournament in Orlando, Fla., the Prairie State College softball team took a well-deserved day off Wednesday before resuming play Thursday. The lay off proved to be beneficial as the Pioneers picked up their second win of the year with a split against Hudson Valley Community College (N.Y.), winning 5-2 before being dealt a 9-0 loss.

PSC (2-10) played its most complete game of the year in the victory. Offensively, Prairie State matched its season high for runs in a game while authoring its top total for hits (10). Freshman Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) was equally as impressive on the mound, recording the most strikeouts of the year by a Pioneer pitcher (11) and holding Hudson Valley to just one earned run as she improved her record to 2-5.

The Vikings scored an unearned run in the top-of-the-second inning, but PSC went ahead 2-1 in the bottom-half of the second on a two-out, two-run single by sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.).

Along with the two RBIs, Rossi had three hits, a double and a run scored.

Prairie State also received some timely two-out hitting in the fourth inning. With nobody on, four consecutive batters reached base safely to produce two runs and lift the lead to 4-1. Included in that mix were freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga’s (Illiana Christian H.S.) run-scoring double and sophomore third baseman Brittany Whitehead’s (Crete-Monee H.S.) RBI single.

Hudson Valley got one run back in the fifth inning, but another RBI single by Whitehead, who was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, in the sixth extended the difference back to three runs.

Freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) scored twice.

Prairie State’s bats weren’t as potent in Game 2 as Rossi, Poortenga and Kurcz were the only three Pioneers to generate hits.

The Cyclones got all the runs they would need in the first inning when they grabbed a 1-0 advantage. That score would remain intact until Hudson Valley totaled eight runs in the third inning to conclude the scoring.

March 20
PRAIRIE STATE GOES 0-3 AT DISNEY TOURNAMENT
For the second consecutive day, the Prairie State College softball team competed in three games at Disney’s Softball Spring Training Tournament in Orlando, Fla. But unlike Monday’s 1-2 showing, PSC finished Tuesday’s tripleheader 0-3, losing 14-1 to Calhoun Community College (Ala.) before suffering 11-1 and 7-1 setbacks to Centenary College (N.J.).

Calhoun took control of Tuesday’s opener in the top-of-the-first inning, scoring seven runs. The Pioneers (1-9) tallied their lone run of the game in their half of the first when sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) scored.

Freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) had Prairie State’s only hit in the contest when she doubled in the fourth inning.

Centenary had a quick start as well, tallying five runs in the first inning. It was 7-0 before Rossi scored in the third on a sacrifice fly by freshman third baseman Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.).

Freshman Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) and freshman shortstop Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) both singled for PSC.

Freshman Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) pitched well in the finale, allowing just one earned run and six hits in seven innings. However, five fielding errors by the PSC defense enabled the Lady Cyclones to plate six unearned runs.

Rossi drove in the Pioneers’ run when her fifth-inning single brought home sophomore first baseman Erin Palm (Crete-Monee H.S.), who also singled.

March 19
PIONEERS WIN FIRST GAME IN 2007 SEASON
Not only was the Prairie State College softball team’s 5-4 victory over Sussex County Community College (N.J.) on Monday at Disney’s Softball Spring Training Tournament in Orlando, Fla, its first of the year, it also marked the inaugural win for rookie head coach Gail Landini.

But Landini and her Pioneers weren’t able to notch their second victory as they dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Monroe County College (N.Y.), losing 11-4 and 16-0.

A slow start against Sussex saw PSC (1-6) fall behind 4-0 in the first inning, but freshman Shelley Kurcz blanked the Skylanders the remainder of the game. All four runs Kurcz allowed were unearned due to a pair of errors in the opening inning.

Kurcz’s totals also included five strikeouts, no walks and nine hits.

The Pioneers also took advantage of errors, scoring an unearned run in both the first and fifth innings to cut the margin to 4-2.

PSC tallied its final three runs in the sixth inning. With two outs and nobody on, freshman right fielder Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) singled, and sophomore third baseman Brittany Whitehead (Crete-Monee H.S.) doubled her home. A walk coupled with an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Erin Palm (crete-Monee H.S.) knotted the game at 4-4.

A throwing error by the Sussex pitcher enabled freshman left fielder Leia Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) to score the game-wining run.

Bensinger and Whitehead both finished with two hits apiece, and freshman catcher Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) added a pair of runs, one hit and one stolen base.

The Pioneers trailed Monroe 4-3 after two innings in Game 1 of the twinbill, but the Tribunes produced five consecutive runs over the next two innings to pull away 9-3 en route to it’s 11-4 victory. Monroe didn’t let up in the second game, winning the 16-0 affair in three innings.

Freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) accounted for three of Prairie State’s five hits in the opener. She also scored twice and swiped a pair of bases, while Whitehead went 1-for-3 with a two-run double and a run scored.

In the Game 2 loss, Hall and freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) each had one hit.

March 14
NO. 1-RANKED KANKAKEE SWEEPS PSC
In what may be its toughest test of the year, the Prairie State College softball team traveled to Kankakee Community College on Wednesday to face the No. 1 team in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll. KCC lived up to its billing as it swept the Pioneers 19-0 and 11-0.

PSC was held hitless in both contests and committed eight errors in Game 1, which led to 13 unearned runs.

In the second game, Prairie State trailed 2-0 after three-and-a-half innings, but Kankakee tallied nine runs in the fourth to cap off the scoring.

Freshman Shelley Kurcz (Crown Point, Ind. H.S.) suffered the loss in Game 1 after allowing three thrid-inning runs, two of which were earned. In six innings of work, Kurcz struck out eight, walked two and scattered six hits.

Sophomore Penny Bensinger (Morton, Ind. H.S.) was handed the setback in the nightcap. She gave up single runs in the first, third and sixth innings and yielded six hits.

Offensively, freshman left fielder Kelly Poortenga (Illiana Christian H.S.) singled in the sixth inning of the opener to account for Prairie State’s lone hit in the contest. Sophomore second baseman Ashley Rossi (Bloom H.S.) stole three bases in the first game after walking twice.

Rossi also swiped a base in the finale after singling in the first inning. Freshman center fielder Kristina Kornacki (Highland, Ind. H.S.) added a double, and freshman shortstop Amber Barnes (Highland, Ind. H.S.) singled to round out PSC’s three-hit attack.

We have participated as an Independent Region IV since the start of the program, but, with the addition of men's and women's basketball the past three years, we are now part of the Skyway Conference.

During the fall season, we will play a handful of games against some strong competition and, along with our practice sessions, we will get prepared for a spring season that includes approximately 50 games and a spring trip to Florida to play another 8-10 games against some very good teams.

During the winter months, we practice in our gym and workout in the Fitness Center, along with some trips to a batting/pitching workout facility.

Along with a schedule against our Conference opponents, we play games against the other junior colleges in the area. We also play the JV teams from some four year schools such as: St. Xavier, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Trinity Christian, Robert Morris and Purdue North Central. We do this so the coaches from those teams can see the talent we have at Prairie State. In the last few years, we have had eleven players move on to compete at four-year schools. In addition, 91% of our players have moved onto four-year schools.

Prairie State offers. . .

• an affordable quality education for the first two years
• an excellent Nursing program
• can satisfy your freshman and sophomore requirements, equivalent to the first two years of study at a senior institution
• counseling, tutoring, study sessions, along with no overcrowding in the classrooms
• greater amounts of playing time during the first two years of college athletics
• a well-kept softball field, new field house with a weight room, indoor track and two pools
• a chance to receive professional coaching and teaching from a very competent staff
• an opportunity to improve your skills and to compete, you never know who is watching
• recruitment by scouts and coaches from four-year colleges and universities
• family and friends close enough to watch games