ON CAMPUS: Toledo, McGurk heading to NCAA Tournament

University of Toledo sophomore pitcher and former Streator High School standout Maggie McGurk is heading to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.

The seventh-seeded Rockets (29-26) won five straight elimination games at the Mid-American Conference Tournament — including a victory over top-seeded Miami University and title-game triumph over Ohio — to capture the program's first ever MAC Tournament title and an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament. Toledo opens play at 1:30 p.m. Central on Friday in Lexington against regional host Kentucky.

On the season, McGurk has appeared in 20 games (12 starts), posted an 8-3 win/loss record and an earned-run average of 3.18. She has pitched 66 innings with 33 strikeouts and recorded three complete games and a save.

Elmhurst College finished the season 9-24 overall and 2-14 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. Bailee Krantz (Jr., Somonauk) pitched in 17 games (seven starts) and was 3-4 with a solid ERA of 2.97. She had two complete games and 21 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings for the Bluejays. Fellow hurler Emily Despain (Jr., Ottawa) appeared in 12 games (10 starts) and was 4-6 with a 5.33 ERA. She posted a complete game and fanned 29 in 43 1/3 innings.

St. Ambrose University (30-18) had its season come to a close after a pair of losses at the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Madelyn Thompson (Jr., Marquette) started 46 games, finished batting .365 with 13 doubles, two triples and led the Bees with six home runs and 36 RBIs. Jasmine Bowman (Fr., Ottawa) hit .333 with two doubles, two triples, a home run, seven RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 47 games (40 starts). Makena McConnaughhay (Fr., Marquette) played in 39 games (34 starts) and hit .273 in league games with a pair of doubles and six RBIs.

Saint Xavier University (31-11) is currently in opening-round action at the NAIA Softball World Series. The Cougars dropped a 2-1, eight inning decision to Lindsey Wilson College in their opening game of the tournament, with Lyda Robinson (Fr., Seneca) accounting for SXU's only tally with a run-scoring double. Saint Xavier will now play South Carolina-Beaufort in an elimination game today. On the season, Robinson has started all 42 games and is batting .304 with five doubles, 12 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Butler University ended the season 16-32 overall and 4-12 in Big East Conference play. Outfielder Bri Avery (Fr., Sandwich) appeared in 43 games (35 starts) for the Bulldogs and batted .259 with seven stolen bases.

Lindenwood University's Taylor Bushman (Fr., Seneca) finished the year hitting .357 with two doubles, 10 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. She also had 12 multi-hit games for the Lions, which ended the season 29-17.

Six former Times-area athletes finished up play for Illinois Valley Community College (22-13). Bailey Simpson (Fr., Ottawa) batted .462 with 10 doubles and 22 RBIs. Brenna McCann (So., Streator) hit .420 with six doubles, two home runs and 24 RBIs. Maddie Dougherty (So., Marquette) batted .368 with three doubles, five triples and 16 RBIs. Shea Moritz (Fr., Woodland) hit .409 with 10 doubles, a homer and 20 RBIs. Lindsey Salata (So., Streator) batted .317 with a double and eight RBIs. Emily Cook (Fr., Earlville) batted .281 with four doubles, a home run and 13 RBIs.

Baseball

Lindenwood University-Belleville ended the season 29-28 overall and 16-14 in the American Midwest Conference. Infielder C.J. Norman (Sr., Marquette) played in 46 games (37 starts) and hit .276 with seven doubles, five homers and 25 RBIs for the Lynx. Norman recorded six mutli-hit games and posted an on-base percentage of .396.

Benedictine University's Nicholas Quick (Sr., Ottawa) is hitting .264 with four doubles, two triples and nine RBIs for the Eagles (23-15).