Western Illinois sweeps Grambling in NCAA softball play-in series

MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois University softball Westerwinds belted nine homeruns in a doubleheader sweep of Southwestern Athletic Conference championGrambling State, 8-0 and 17-1, May 10 in an NCAA Play-In series at WIU's MaryEllen McKee Stadium.The Westerwinds (33-19) earned their second NCAA Tournament berth in asmany years.

Against Grambling State, Winds first baseman Bridget Maxwell belted two home runs in the first game, while third baseman Dani Hofmann added a solo shot of her own. Starting pitcher Lindsay Tasker struck out eight in the first three innings, and finished with nine punch-outs in the five-inning, complete-game effort. She improved her record to 11-5 on the season.

The Westerwinds continued the home run downpour in the second game. Maxwellhit two more home runs - she homered in four straight official at-bats over thetwo games - while shortstop Chrissie Beebe also went deep twice. Hofmann andleft fielder Alicia Kelly each added a dinger to put the game out of reach. StarterKristin Smith went the distance in the five-inning game, allowing only four hits, toimprove to 7-3 on the season.

Maxwell now has 19 home runs this season, extending her school and conferencesingle-season record total. She went 6-for-6 in the two games, while Hofmannhad five hits in six at-bats.

Grambling State, which won five straight games in the SWAC Tournament lastweekend to earn the conference's postseason title, closed the season with arecord of 33-18.

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