The Tiger softball team knew it had a difficult task to advance to the annual NCAC Tournament, especially after losing several players to injury early in the season. Last week, the Tigers put up a valiant fight against the top two teams in the conference, but they weren't able to win any of four games against Denison and Wooster and were thus eliminated from the tourney, which includes just four teams. Wittenberg concludes the 2002 NCAC competition in sixth place.

On Tuesday, first-place Denison swept Wittenberg 7-0 and 5-4. In the opener, the Tigers managed just one base hit against last year's NCAC Player of the Year. In the nightcap, freshman Norah Gillam (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield), junior Beth Walters (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) and freshman Christy Cartaya (Mason, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) each collected two hits, but a late rally fell just short in a one-run defeat. It was the fifth time Wittenberg had lost by one run this season.

On Saturday, the Tigers' hopes of advancing were permanently dashed by visiting Wooster. Wittenberg was no-hit in the opener, spoiling a fine pitching performance by Gillam. In the second game, another solid showing on the mount by Cartaya was wasted as the Tigers allowed five runs in the seventh inning to lose 7-4. Walters was the offensive star with two hits and three RBI on the day.

The season wraps up this week with a road game at Capital on Tuesday.