UW-Stevens Point extended its unexpected postseason run with a dramatic seventh inning rally, but the magic finally came to an end with a 5-3 nine inning loss to Gustavus Adolphus at the NCAA Division III regional in Decorah, Iowa on Friday.

The Pointers, who were granted an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, ended the season with a 33-10 overall record, matching the third-highest victory total in school history and the fewest losses in a season of at least 20 games. Gustavus Adolphus is now 35-9 and takes on Wartburg at 4 p.m.

“This wasn't the way we wanted to end our season, but it was the place we hoped it would end,” Pointers' coach Ann Munzenmaier said. “The way we battled back in this game shows the type of resiliency this team had all year.”

The Pointers trailed 3-1 entering the final inning, but scored two runs and even appeared to have the game won. Jackie Berger (Bonduel/Bonduel) drew a one-out walk and Laura Van Abel laid down a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Korryn Brooks (Stevens Point/SPASH) hit a grounder for a potential double play, but the second baseman missed a tag on Van Abel and threw wild to first, scoring Berger and putting runners at first and third. Stephanie Anderson (Milwaukee/King) grounded out to tie the game and put the potential winning run at second base.

Allison Dorn (Greenville/Fox Valley Lutheran) then hit a grounder to shortstop deep in the hole near third base. The shortstop fielded the ball and threw wild to first base, allowing pinch runner Katherine Mess (Sussex/Hamilton) to score from second with the apparent winning run. However, the umpire ruled Mess out for interference with the shortstop, sending the game to extra innings.

In the ninth, the Gusties had runners at second and third with two outs when Allison Haase hit a pop up to shallow left center that was dropped an allowed both runs to score.

“Our defense really let us down this weekend,” Munzenmaier said. “We had a great rally today, but it was a bad time for us to not play well.”

Stephanie Anderson (Milwaukee/King) pitched a complete game for the Pointers and allowed 10 hits with three strikeouts. Joyce DeWitz allowed nine hits and struck out five in a complete game for Gustavus Adolphus.

Melissa Boldt (New Berlin/Eisenhower) was three-for-four and Van Abel was two-for-four for the Pointers. Van Abel finished the season with a 20-game hitting streak on a first inning single and then set a single-season school record with 65 hits on her seventh inning bunt.