ELGIN -- Westminster Christian had a couple of goals before competing in its first postseason game in program history on Monday at the Elgin Sports Complex.
The first goal was to have fun. The second one was to win.
Well, one out of two isn't bad.
Despite losing to higher-seeded Paw Paw 16-2 in the Newark Class 1A Regional's play-in game, the Warriors still managed to walk away satisfied with their effort -- and hungry to get back at it next season.
Paw Paw, the seventh seed, scored eight runs in the seventh inning to turn an 8-2 contest into a lopsided affair. Sixth-seeded Westminster (3-11) tallied just one hit -- a hard single by Katie Moeller in the sixth inning.
"I told them more than anything that I wanted them to have fun today," Westminster coach Jim Mueller said. "I hope they did. This wasn't the result we hoped for, but we got some more experience. I think these girls will be excited to build from this season next year."
Moeller struggled finding the strike zone with consistency all game, as evidenced by her 13 walks. However, the freshman was able to record eight strikeouts through the first five innings to keep the Warriors' hopes alive.
That is until the seventh, when the Bulldogs scored eight runs on five walks and four hits.
"(Katie) didn't have her best game, but she battled for us," Mueller said.
Trailing 4-0, Westminster scored its first run in the bottom of the third inning with a little help from the visitors.
Sophomore Rachel Heckman led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Jaclyn Brisebois. With two outs, freshman Hannah Graves hit a slow roller up the first base line that was fielded and then thrown wildly into right field, allowing Heckman to score.
In the fourth, the Warriors tacked on another run following a one-out walk to Moeller. Moeller then stole two bases before an RBI groundout by Anna Mitchell.
"We would have liked to have won, but winning isn't everything to me," said junior shortstop Sara Serrato, one of only three Westminster players with any previous softball experience. "I think we had a really good season. We came a long way this year. I think everyone improved."
The Warriors wrapped up their inaugural regular season with two victories against Luther South and one versus Willows Academy. The team played a split schedule of varsity and junior varsity games.
"We grew as a team and I am very proud of these girls," Mueller said. "We wanted to get this program up and running this year and it's now running."
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