UNOH Claims 2025 WHAC Softball Tournament Title
LIVONIA, Mich. - (Box Score) For the first time since 2018, the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) Racers have claimed a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament title. The Racers ran the table as the #3 seed, twice defeating top-seeded Madonna to earn the championship and punch its ticket to the NAIA National Championships.
UNOH first defeated Cleary to set up a showdown with #2 Cornerstone. That extra-inning affair was won by the Racers and set them up for a matchup with Madonna, who had not lost a game to a WHAC opponent in over two seasons. UNOH handed the Crusaders a run-rule loss to put themselves in the drivers seat as the lone unbeaten team remaining. On Monday, Madonna battled with Cornerstone in the semifinals, earning a 4-3 win to set up a rematch.
The rematch was a similar story to when the teams met on Friday. UNOH used a persistent offensive attack and a handful of big innings to get the better of the Crusaders. Madonna came out firing first, scoring two runs on three hits in the home half of the first. UNOH, unfazed, answered with a two-spot of its own in the top of the second to tie the game. Madonna regained the lead with a run in the second and that held until the pivotal top of the fourth.
In that frame, UNOH hammered out five runs on five hits to take a commanding 7-3 lead and never looked back. Two more insurance runs crossed the plate in the top of the sixth and the UNOH pitching and defense remaind solid the rest of the way, earning the 9-3 win.
Lanie Wooten earned the win, going seven innings allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits. She pitched to contact all day, only allowing one walk an no strikeouts.
Anna Ankney had another huge day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Tess Denning chipped in a pair of hits and three RBI and Cecilia Campbell was 2-for-3 with a team-leading four RBI.
Both Madonna and UNOH will represent the WHAC at the NAIA National Championship. The Softball selection show will announce the bracket on May 7 at 6 p.m.
All-Time Softball Tournament Champions
2001: (1) Cornerstone
2002: (1) Concordia
2003: (2) Cornerstone
2004: (1) Cornerstone
2005: No Tournament
2006: No Tournament
2007: (2) Madonna
2008: (1) Madonna
2009: (1) Madonna
2010: (1) Madonna
2011: (1) Davenport
2012: (2) Madonna
2013: (2) Davenport
2014: (1) Davenport
2015: (2) Davenport
2016: (1) Davenport
2017: (1) Davenport
2018: (4) UNOH
2019: (3) Siena Heights
2020: No Tournament due to season canceled because of COVID-19
2021 (1) Aquinas
2022: (2) UM-Dearborn
2023: (4) Madonna
2024: (1) Madonna
2025: (3) UNOH