Saint Xavier University - News

[Softball] Mollohan, Nonnemacher Earn Capital One Academic Honors

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:55:00 -0600

Towson, Md. – Saint Xavier University senior third baseman Kate Mollohan (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) and junior pitcher Megan Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) both claimed spots on the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America® College Division Softball Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Mollohan was the only member of this year's honorees to also earn first team recognition on the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America® College Division Softball Team. Nonnemacher was also a repeat selection as well after earning third team honors last spring. SXU was the only institution to have two players named to the 11-member first team. The Capital One Academic All-America® College Division Softball Team is comprised of student-athletes from NAIA, Canadian and two-year institutions.

[Softball] NAIA Softball National Championship Information Page

Rob Huizenga — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:20:00 -0600

CHICAGO - For fans either making the trip to Columbus, Ga., next week or planning to track the progress of the Saint Xavier University softball team at the NAIA National Championship final site, this page should be a helpful source of information. The team departs for Columbus, Ga., on Wednesday, May 22, by bus and will arrive in Georgia at some point that evening. All games will be played at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus with the tournament kicking off on the morning of Friday, May 24, and SXU scheduled to play at 1 p.m. (eastern). Listed below are a variety of links to help out either those fans planning to make the trip south or those who want to follow the action over the Internet. Go Cougars!

[Softball] Check Out the Photo Gallery From the Fifth and Final Day of SXU Softball's Portland Trip

Rob Huizenga — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:15:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. - The Saint Xavier University softball team claimed the NAIA Opening Round Portland Bracket championship Wednesday afternoon with a 10-2 victory over No. 11 ranked Corban University (Ore.) in the day's second championship game. With the win, SXU advances to the final site of the 2013 NAIA Softball National Championship and will join nine other teams for a double-elimination tournament in Columbus, Ga., starting on Friday, May 23. Here are the photos from Wednesday's championship! We hope you have enjoyed the photo galleries from the entire week and stay tuned for more as the Cougars advance to the final site. Go Cougars!

[Softball] Saint Xavier Softball Claims NAIA Opening Round Championship

Rob Huizenga — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. – After dropping Wednesday's first championship game against No. 11 ranked and No. 2 seeded Corban University (Ore.) by a score of 10-7 in eight innings, the No. 10 ranked and No. 1 seeded Saint Xavier University softball team came roaring back in the second game winning 10-2 in just five innings to claim the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament championship at Delta Park in Portland, Ore. Not only did the Cougars (49-7 overall) claim the title and the automatic berth to the NAIA Softball National Championship in Columbus, Ga., but the team captured the best single-season win total for the program surpassing the 2000 squad that went 48-12 overall. Freshman Nicole Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) was huge on the mound in Wednesday's second game as well as at the plate in both contests.

[Softball] Check Out The Photo Gallery From Day Four of SXU Softball's Portland Trip

Rob Huizenga — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:25:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. - Here is the photo gallery for the Saint Xavier University softball team's fourth day in Portland, Ore., for the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament. The Cougars defeated No. 11 ranked Corban University (Ore.), 2-0, and advanced to Wednesday's tournament championship. After winning Tuesday, SXU had the afternoon off and did a little bit of sightseeing near Portland. Enjoy the photo's and go Cougars!

[Softball] Nonnemacher Throws Two-Hit Shutout, No. 10 SXU Wins 2-0 Over No. 11 Corban

Rob Huizenga — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:35:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. – Junior right-hander Megan Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) struck out 12 batters for the second straight game and allowed just two hits as the No. 10 ranked and No. 1 seeded Saint Xavier University softball team blanked No. 11 ranked and No. 2 seed Corban University (Ore.) Tuesday morning on the second day of action at the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament at Delta Park in Portland, Ore. The Cougars (48-6 overall) tied the best single season win total for the program (48) matching the 2000 squad that went 48-12 overall. With the victory, SXU advances to Wednesday's championship, which starts at 1 p.m. (central), with no tournament losses in the double-elimination event. Saint Xavier's runs came in the bottom of the second inning on back-to-back RBI singles by sophomores Shannon Lauret (Beach Park, Ill./Zion-Benton) and Megan James (Oak Forest, Ill./Marist). It was Nonnemacher's 10^th shutout of the season, a new career-high total.

[Softball] Check out the Photo Gallery from Day Three of SXU Softball's Portland Trip

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:10:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. - It was another productive day for the Saint Xavier University softball team Monday as the Cougars kicked off their first game of the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament with a 12-1 victory over MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) in five innings. After the game, the team made its way to downtown Portland to take in some of the city sites and get a bite to eat. Among the stops were dinner at the Thirsty Lion Irish Restaurant & Pub and a visit to Voodoo Donuts, a Portland landmark, for dessert. What a way to celebrate after a big postseason win! Go Cougars!

[Softball] Nonnemacher Strikes Out 12; No. 10 SXU Wins Big, 12-1

Rob Huizenga — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:15:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. – Junior right-hander Megan Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) struck out 12 batters en route to a convincing 12-1 victory for the No. 10 ranked and No. 1 seeded Saint Xavier University softball team over No. 4 seed MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) Monday afternoon in first round action of the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tournament at Delta Park in Portland, Ore. The Cougars (47-6 overall) racked up 10 hits on the offensive side led by three RBI apiece from sophomore left fielder Holly Hilden (Belvidere, Ill./Belvidere North) and freshman right fielder Nicole Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community). SXU advances to take on No. 11 ranked and No. 2 seed Corban University (Ore.) on Tuesday, May 14, at 12 p.m. (central) at Delta Park.

[Softball] Check out the Photo Gallery from Day Two of SXU Softball's Portland Trip

Rob Huizenga — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:55:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. - With the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Tournament set to kick off Monday morning, the Saint Xavier University softball team had a day and night filled with preparations for the event Sunday, including a practice session and a banquet. The Cougars had an early afternoon practice session at Delta Park, the site of the Opening Round tournament. Following the practice, the team got a nice treat with a stop at YoCream, a popular local frozen yogurt establishment. After the team returned to the hotel, it was time to start getting ready for the evening banquet at the hotel. The picture gallery below contains photos from Sunday's activities. Enjoy and go Cougars!

[Softball] Check out the Photo Gallery from Day One of SXU Softball's Portland Trip

Rob Huizenga — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:25:00 -0600

Portland, Ore. - After a long day of traveling, the Saint Xavier University softball team has arrived safe and sound in Portland, Ore., in preparation for the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Tournament, which begins on Monday, May 13. The Cougars have a practice session at Delta Park Sunday afternoon and then a pre-event banquet Sunday evening at the team hotel. SXU takes on MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) on 3:30 p.m. (central) Monday. Until the game, enjoy these photos from the first day of the trip in the photo gallery below.

[Softball] Keep Track of the SXU Softball Team at the NAIA Opening Round Tournament

Rob Huizenga — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:35:00 -0600

CHICAGO - Fans unable to make the trip out to Portland, Ore., for the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Tournament next week will have a couple of different ways to keep track of all the action. The host site, Concordia University (Ore.), will be offering a free video stream option as well as a live stats option. In addition, the SXU sports information office will be onsite and providing updates via Twitter. All links for the various options are included below. Please share this page with any fans, who might want to follow the team through the postseason. Go Cougars!

[Softball] No. 10 SXU Softball Claims No. 1 Seed; Heads to Portland, Ore.

Rob Huizenga — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:15:00 -0600

CHICAGO – The Saint Xavier University softball team moved up one spot to No. 10 in the final 2013 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll released by the NAIA national office Tuesday afternoon and was rewarded with a No. 1 seed in one of the 10 NAIA National Championship Opening Round tournaments held from May 13-15. The Cougars will make a trek over to the Pacific Northwest to take the top seed into the Concordia University (Ore.) Bracket hosted at Delta Park in Portland. This is the highest national rank for the SXU softball program in school history. SXU (46-6 overall) faces off against No. 4 seed MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) in first round action Monday with the game time yet to be announced. MidAmerica Nazarene is making its third national championship appearance and earned its berth by finishing as the runner-up in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Tournament. The Pioneers bring a 28-13 record into the Opening Round Tournament.

[Softball] Nonnemacher, Kanaga Sweep Final CCAC Softball Weekly Honors

Rob Huizenga — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:35:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Saint Xavier University junior right-hander Megan Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) took care of business on the mound and freshman second baseman Kasey Kanaga (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) did so at the plate to lead the Cougars to the 2013 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Softball Tournament Championship over the weekend and land the conference's weekly individual honors for themselves Tuesday. Nonnemacher won a pair of tourney games to claim CCAC Pitcher of the Week accolades, while Kanaga was "Miss Clutch" driving in game-winning runs twice en route to earning the league's Player of the Week award for the seven-day period ending May 5.

[Softball] Comebacks Continue as No. 11 Saint Xavier Wins CCAC Softball Tourney

Rob Huizenga — Sat, 04 May 2013 19:45:00 -0600

Bourbonnais, Ill. – After losing the 3 p.m. championship game Saturday to No. 2 seed and No. 15 ranked Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) by a score of 6-1, the No. 11 ranked and No. 1 seeded Saint Xavier University softball team bounced back in the 5 p.m. game erasing a 3-0 deficit to claim the 2013 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Softball Tournament championship with a 4-3 victory over the host Tigers at Tiger Field in Bourbonnais, Ill. It is the first conference tournament crown for the Cougars (46-6 overall) since 2009. Freshman second baseman Kasey Kanaga (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) came up with the clutch hit in the top of the sixth inning of the second game with a RBI single up the middle to put SXU up, 4-3. Junior right-hander Megan Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) recorded the victory (24-2) on the mound Saturday throwing all seven frames of the late game and allowing 10 hits, three runs (all earned) and a walk with five strikeouts.

[Softball] No. 11 Saint Xavier Softball Rallies Again; Beats No. 15 Olivet, 5-4

Rob Huizenga — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:10:00 -0600

Bourbonnais, Ill. – A two-out RBI single to left centerfield in the bottom of the fifth inning by freshman second baseman Kasey Kanaga (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) proved to be the difference maker as the No. 11 ranked Saint Xavier University softball team overcame an early 4-0 deficit to capture a 5-4 victory over No. 15 ranked Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Softball Tournament action Friday afternoon at Tiger Field in Bourbonnais, Ill. With the win, the Cougars (45-5 overall) advance to Saturday's 3 p.m. championship game and will need to be defeated twice by whichever team emerges from the other side of the bracket. Freshman right-hander Nicole Nonnemacher (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) pitched 5.1 innings of relief and earned the win (22-3) on the mound allowing just two hits, no runs and no walks with five strikeouts.