HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College conducted a private graduation on Monday morning for the final four members from the Class of 2016 to receive their diplomas. Those four students were unable to make Saturday's graduation as they were winning the NCAA Softball Regional for the first time in school history.
In front of President Kim Benston, members of the Haverford faculty and staff, their coaches, teammates and athletic department staff, degrees were presented to Sara Tauriello, Kristin Tatum, Miwa Wenzel, and Emily Winesett.
The Haverford College Class of 2016 was already the winningest in program history coming into the NCAA Regional. However, those four student-athletes further cemented their legacy and have taken over the national role of underdogs in this year's NCAA Tournament. Aptly named the "Region of Death" by some, the Norfolk, Virginia Regional featured the first and second ranked teams in the entire country along with a very strong Saint Vincent team.
The Fords advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in program history with a 7-6 win over No. 2 Salisbury in the regional's seventh and final game. The Fords also took down the Sea Gulls by a 1-0 score to start the tournament.
Softball will look to continue its historic season this Friday when the team travels to Messiah for a best-of-three series. The winner of the series will advance to the College World Series.
Weekend Schedule at Messiah
Game 1: Friday, May 20 (3 p.m.)
Game 2: Saturday, May 21 (12 p.m.)
Game 3: Saturday, May 21 (30 minutes after game 2) – If necessary