Guckenberger Sets NCAA Division III Saves Record as Pointers Sweep

     UW-Stevens Point senior Karen Guckenberger became the all-time NCAA Division III saves leader with the 14th of her career as the Pointer softball team won a pair of games Friday at the Augustana Invitational in Rock Island, Ill.

     Guckenberger pitched the final two innings to preserve a 3-2 win over St. Ambrose and eclipse the record previously held by Nedra King of Eastern Mennonite (Va.), who set the record from 1991-93. It is Guckenberger�s third save of this season.

     Earlier this week, she set the all-time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference career strikeout record with the 422nd of her career, coming Wednesday in a 12-0 win over Edgewood.

     The South Milwaukee native also threw a three-hit complete game in the Pointers� opener on Friday as they beat Fontbonne (Mo.) 5-2. UW-Stevens Point built a 5-0 lead on the strength of a bases loaded double by Amy Schumacher in the fourth inning and a triple from Jill Van Wychen in the fifth. The Griffins scored two unearned runs off Guckenberger in the seventh inning. Van Wychen was three-for-four and Meagan Strmsek was three-for-three to lead the Pointers.

     Against St. Ambrose, Katie Knoedler pitched the first five innings, allowing two runs and four hits. Schumacher again provided the big hit with a two-run single in the fifth that gave the Pointers the lead before Guckenberger finished off the win. Strmsek was two-for-three and Brooke Woller was two-for-three.

     The Pointers, who are now 10-6 overall, play Knox (Ill.) Saturday at 11 a.m. and would play for the tournament championship at 3 p.m. with a victory.