NEW CONCORD — Laina Connor understood the expectations at Muskingum University when she accepted the softball head coaching job in the summer of 2022.
As a sophomore, she helped the Muskies win the program's 19th Ohio Athletic Conference title and make the NCAA Division III regional final in 2014.
A decade later, Muskingum returned to the NCAA tournament and won a regional title under Connor's guidance.
This is the program's first appearance in the Super Regional, since the format changed in 2014, and the Muskies will travel to Division III powerhouse Virginia Wesleyan, which won national titles in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
The best-of-3 series starts at 2 p.m. Thursday with a berth to the College World Series on the line.
Connor felt the Muskies had the talent to reach this point; it was a matter of how quick it all came together.
"Coming into the season, I knew we had the talent. We also had a solid group of freshmen, but we weren't sure how it was going to play out," Connor said. "We had close losses to Lebanon Valley and Case Western Reserve, which was ranked 10th, early in the season, but we were very competitive. You could see the freshmen gaining confidence and getting comfortable, and we hit our stride midway through the season."
Pitching sets the tone
The Muskies' rise started with strong options in the circle. Senior pitcher Madelyn Thomas, the OAC Pitcher of the Year, was the stalwart, going 13-4 with a 1.89 ERA, seven shutouts and 110 strikeouts in 129 2/3 innings in the regular season.
Freshman Tareyn Born, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the regional tournament, had a 9-5 mark with 58 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings and ranked fifth in the OAC with a 2.68 ERA. Fellow freshman Bethany Rodman was 5-3 in eight starts with 36 strikeouts and seven walks in 52 2/3 innings.
Thomas and Born, who were All-Region selections, highlight an array of arms.
"We have more depth, and that's a big part of why we've been successful," Connor said about the pitching. "Each has a different pitching style with different top pitches. That can throw teams off who don't play us often. They've really complimented each other."
Multiple ways to attack can put the opposition on their heels, noted Thomas. The pitchers have made the most of their arsenal to keep the Muskies in every game.
"Everyone has their own strengths and different types of pitching style. We really compliment each other," Thomas said. "We don't feel any negative pressure or feel like we have to do too much. We focus on one pitch at a time, knowing our team will find a way to be competitive."
Timely hitting key to the offense
Strong pitching has kept games close, allowing the offense to be advantageous. The Muskies have a team average of .285 and outscored their opponents, 207-133. They also have a .347 on-base percentage with 82 doubles and 70 stolen bases.
A pair of first team All-OAC outfielders have led the offensive charge. Sophomore Cara Taylor had a .418 average with 59 hits, 37 runs, 28 stolen bases and 17 RBIs, while senior Kalie Eshelman batted .341 with 43 hits, 31 runs and 18 RBIs.
Sophomore infielder Sadie Smith, another OAC selection, has been another steady force, hitting .308 with 34 RBIs, 24 runs and 14 doubles. Freshmen Natalie Smith, Taryn Mickley and Elizabeth Wauford and sophomore Susie Blocher are also batting over .300.
Building early leads is the Muskies' primary goal, said Taylor.
"Scoring first has been key, and we want to give our pitchers a safety net," Taylor noted. "We know what our pitchers can do, and so we try to help them settle in. We don't ease up, we're always looking to add on."
While extra base hits propelled the Muskies to the regional title, getting the lead-off runner is crucial to the team's success, remarked Connor.
"We've taken advantage of our opportunities," she said. "It seems like most innings when we score it starts by the lead-off batter reaching and moving them over. We've been able to execute when those opportunities are there."
Experience prepares Muskies
Along with a tough non-conference slate, OAC play benefitted Muskingum. The conference sent three teams to the NCAA tournament, and that grind has the Muskies ready.
"(The league's) very competitive, even the teams who didn't make the conference tournament provided different challenges," Connor said. "We had to overcome situations where our backs were against the wall. We won a lot of close, tight games, and that helps this time of year."
Taylor felt seeing a variety of pitchers has the Muskies' batters comfortable in the box, while Thomas added seeing different approaches helps the pitchers work against any opponent.
"Every team is different. Some are scrappy, some are powerhouses and some are a little bit of both," she said. "We take the field, playing against ourselves. We need to stay true to who we are, play loose and have fun."
Leaning on senior leaders like Thomas aided the growth of the underclassmen, said Taylor. Following their example will benefit the Muskies beyond this tournament run.
"We were a young team, and they were showing us what it takes at this level," Taylor said. "They have a fearless approach, and we follow their lead. We have seen what it takes to get to this level, and it will drive us to come back next year, ready to work harder."
Seniors, like Thomas, came to Muskingum, hoping for this opportunity. They won't go down without a fight.
"This is bigger than myself. We're trying to uphold the tradition," Thomas said. "We came into August and focused on doing the right things and doing things the right way. It started with our performance in the classroom and away from the field. We brought that same focus to the field, and hopefully, it helps us get the outcome we want."
It's been exciting to see how much the Muskies have grown. Connor wants her team to embrace the experience, while remembering it will take much more to reach this point next season and beyond.
"I played for a regional title as a sophomore, and it's something you dream of as a player. To be a coach and get us back there and win it, means everything," Connor said. "We're excited for this chance. It also means we will have to work twice as hard to give ourselves the same opportunity next season."
bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs
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