Trojans season ends in Region 4 Quarterfinal Tournament

The Triton College softball team and ace McKenzie Johnson were game competitors hosting the double-elimination Region 4 Division II quarterfinals playoffs, but eventually were worn down by a tough Madison College squad that emerged on top to advance to the Region 4 final four on Sunday, May 5.

Johnson's strong right arm and bat helped push the fourth-seeded Trojans into the first elimination game with fifth-seeded Madison. She slugged her first homer of the season to give the Trojans a brief lead over the Wolfpack. Yet their strong lineup overcame Johnson in the eventual 6-3 victory that ended Triton's season with a 29-13 record.

Madison ace Kendall Weik, who notched a complete game in the clincher, ended up besting Triton on two consecutive days after beating the hosts 11-5 on Saturday, May 4. Triton had opened the tourney hours before with a 5-3 victory over Sauk Valley Community College.

No Triton player or coach was hanging crepe after the Madison loss. All realized they had acquitted themselves well as both achievers and teammates.

"They're a family and I couldn't be prouder," Triton head coach Ken Jurasz said of his post-game message to his players. "It's going to sting and hurt for a day. But they were good teammates and had each others' backs."

Johnson's spirits were high even though her well-worked arm needed a good rest.

"We fought our lives off against Madison," she said. "They have really good hitters. It was just a battle all around."

Added Johnson batterymate Briana Rivera: "It was not a disappointment. It was all a great finish. We are all happy with each other, support each other."

Johnson attempted a true endurance test against the Wolfpack.

She had thrown 47 pitches, striking out four, in a three-inning stint in relief of starter Trinity Pratt in a 4-0 victory over Milwaukee Tech on Sunday morning that qualified the Trojans for the duel with Madison.

Triton broke a scoreless tie in fifth inning on an RBI double from Angelina Flores and a two-out RBI triple from Nikki Burke.

Jurasz had prepared for the Madison game by liberally substituting throughout the Milwaukee Tech contest. He also had to prepare for a possible third game in one day – against the Wolfpack – given a Triton victory over Madison in the first elimination contest.

"It's been done before," Jurasz said of winning three games in one day. "It's just the toughest way to do it, like fighting a (five-alarm) fire."

The Wolfpack (29-11) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on Johnson's throwing error. In the top of the third, Triton would cut the lead in half on a Flores' RBI single. Minutes later, Johnson connected for her homer, against the in-blowing wind, for a 3-2 lead. She finished the season leading the Trojans with 24 RBI's.

But after Madison tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the third, the pitches began to take their toll on Johnson. She weakened in the fifth, allowing a MacKenna Schultz two-run double and RBI single to Jenna Redders for a 6-3 lead that stood up for the final score.

"I'm not going to lie," Johnson said. "I was a bit tired. I always push through. I knew this would be my last time on this field. After they (Madison) scored, I still felt I kept the game (further) in check."

Rivera knew her ace was working increasingly on fumes. "'Kenzie' knows I have her back," said the catcher. "I kept telling her to fight through it."

Coaches from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay saw in person Johnson's effort against Milwaukee Area Tech and Madison. Her clutch hits in the two games Sunday certainly is nothing to tarnish her appeal. Her stout-heartedness in the circle will always be entrenched.

"I think my hitting has improved a lot," she said. "In front of a D-I coach, I proved I can do both (pitch and hit)."

The issue will be landing with a four-year program whose coach will allow a pitcher to also hit, said Jurasz.

Even though the Trojans fell short of the Region 4 finals, the program further established itself as a regional power with another quality overall season. Jurasz has continued the momentum established by predecessor Christina Christopher.

Nine freshmen are expected to return for the 2025 campaign. Jurasz said he has up to 11 commitments at this point for next season.

"The expectations are always here," he said. "We always fight for a high seed. It's a championship mentality."
 
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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)