ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - With their backs against the wall all day, the Wartburg Knights responded with big bats at the NCAA Division III softball regional hosted by Augustana College.

Facing elimination after a Friday loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wartburg rebounded to pound Maryville, 9-3, and Coe, 11-3. The Knights face a rematch with UW-Whitewater at noon today.

Robin Petersen led the way in the win over Maryville, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo homer and a two-run double, while pitching all seven innings for the win.

Despite the final score, the win over Coe was a tight battle before the Knights erupted with seven runs in the top of the eighth inning. A three-run homer by Amy Daniels and a two-run triple by Ashley Rogers were the big hits in the frame.

For the game, Courtney Bain went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in. Angela Hartwig allowed just one hit over four shutout innings to earn the win.

Wartburg carries a 32-7 record into today's semifinal matchup.

WARTBURG 9, MARYVILLE 3

Wartburg 203 103 0 - 9 11 1

Maryville 100 020 0 - 3 5 1

R. Petersen and E. Petersen: Clark, O'Dell (4) and Wwissmuel.

WP - R. Petersen (2-1); LP - Clark (15-9).

WARTBURG 11, COE 3

Wartburg 201 001 07 - 11 13 2

Coe 002 200 00 - 4 4 2

Robison, Hartwig (5) and Petersen; Schultz, Kramer (8) and Wedemeier, Jack. HR - War., Daniels (2).

WP - Hartwig (20-2); LP - Schultz (20-9).