The Wolves have punched their ticket to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series.

Joliet Junior College played host to St. Cloud Technical and Community College on Friday, beating the Cyclones in the best-of-three series to capture the NJCAA Division III North Plains B District crown. 

"It means a lot, but I knew in August we had an outstanding group," said Wolves interim head coach Mike Bednarz. "I knew in May when we finished up last year and lost up in North Dakota at the District up there that we had a group coming back that was capable of doing this. I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not surprised by what they've done."

A strong performance by freshman Karli McMillin powered the Wolves to a 3-0 victory in the first game.

McMillin pitched a seven inning shutout, allowing six hits while striking out seven. At the plate, she went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the opening frame that gave the Wolves the early advantage. 

"I just like the pitch that I got," said McMillin, who is the regining Region 4 Player of the Year. "I don't usually like to look at first pitch strikes, so if I see one, I like to take it. The pitcher just gave it to me and I took my opportunity and it went over."

The Cyclones out hit the Wolves in the game, 6-4, but JJC capitalized better. Lea Herkel and Taylor Wells each recorded a hit in their three at-bats, each for an RBI in the sixth inning to seal the win.

It was a night-and-day difference between the first and second games, as an offensive onslaught saw the Wolves deliver the knockout punch, 12-0, to capture the title.

"After that first game, it's like, 'okay, we know what we're doing, we can do this,' and we kind of just went with it and did it," said sophomore Skylar Welcome, who finished 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI's. 

"She's constantly making adjustments and constantly trying to figure it out," Bednarz said of the sophomore. "If you look at her first at-bat in the first game, she was kind of off balance but she eventually figures it out. Hits a few line drives up the middle and then she launches one over the fence."

The Wolves scored three runs in the first before scoring four in each of the second and third innings to jump ahead, 11-0. JJC added one more in the fourth to ultimately win the game in five innings.

This time it was the Wolves who out-did the Cyclones at the plate, recording ten hits to their one. McMillin was just 1-for-2 in the second game, but made it count with her second home run of the day and four RBI's. 

"Yeah, we definitely warmed up our bats," said McMillin. "The first game, I think our timing was a little bit off, so the second game we got a grip on it and then once the first person gets it, then we just constantly keep going throughout the order."

"Karli has come in and done so much for us, both on the mound and at the plate," said Bednarz. "She's solidified our middle defense and she always gives us a quality performance where she keeps other teams in check and gives our offense a chance to figure things out. She's she's been unbelievable."

D'arcy Ness went 2-for-2 on the day, while Samantha Rios, Averi Scheuer, Paige Borton, Wells and Herkel all recorded a hit. Rios and Scheuer each had an RBI.

With the win, not only have the Wolves punched their ticket back to the World Series, but they've also extended their single-season wins record to 41 games. 

And while Welcome is all business when the team arrives in New York next week, coach Bednarz and McMillin are in agreement on their first stop in Syracuse.

"We found a a deli out there (last time)," said Bednarz. "It's called the Brooklyn Pickle, okay? And I've been talking about I want I want another sandwich from there. So we've been talking about sandwiches and Syracuse since 2024. And so, we're all fired up to get out there and go get a sandwich -- or two."

"I would have to agree with coach Mike and get a sandwich, cause I've heard such great things about their sandwich," said McMillin. "And then we're going to lock in."