WAVERLY - As visitors enter Waverly from the west along Highway 3, a water tower - painted orange at the top - currently reads "Wartburg College: Quality on Tap."

That mantra especially rings true for the Division III school's softball program, which has enjoyed a steady stream of success for years now. And the eighth-ranked Knights (29-6) are still running strong as they head to Rock Island, Ill., for an NCAA regional this weekend. The trip comes on the heels of Wartburg recently winning its third straight conference tournament title.

And pitcher Angela Hartwig, as much as anyone, has helped point Wartburg's compass toward a lengthy postseason trek.

Her production is eye-popping: 141 strikeouts, 19 wins in 20 decisions and a school single-season record ERA of 0.63. Yet, her self-promotion could use a little work …

"It's kind of a good time to peak," shrugged the Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Year, who will play barely 14 miles from her hometown of Long Grove this weekend.

If Wartburg plans to work its way past the likes of Alma (Mich.) - whom it plays Thursday at 4 p.m. - Hartwig's performance in the pitching circle will likely speak volumes.

Wartburg coach Kara Kehe isn't the least bit concerned about that. The coach, after all, has witnessed too many of her right-hander's shutouts - and seen too many opposing batters baffled by Hartwig's drop-ball - to have any reason for anxiety.

"She's had so many two-hitters, (with) seven, eight or nine strikeouts," noted Kehe, the IIAC's 2008 Coach of the Year. "The consistency that she's been bringing is what stands out. (She is) pitching as well as I've ever seen her pitch."

In the fall 2005, Hartwig arrived in Waverly as a slightly introverted and overwhelmed freshman. Three years later, she owns more than 50 career wins.

"As a freshman, heading down to the regional at Simpson, she really came into her own at that point," explained Kehe. "Just more mature, (with) an understanding of what it took to get hitters out. We really saw her take a big step.

"Then, last year, she was THE go-to person all year."

Now, backed by Wartburg's hot bats (led by Ashley Steines' .421 average) and determined defense, the Knights could wreak havoc this weekend and beyond.

"I just try to do my thing and I know they'll do theirs," Hartwig said of her teammates. "We've had (the defense) have line-drives hit right at 'em. Off their bat you think it's a double, but then my defense is right there. It's a huge confidence-builder."

The Knights, winners in 20 of their last 21 contests, have advanced to the regional finals in each of the last two seasons, only to suffer similar fates both times: Stinging defeats. Hartwig still wrestles with her underwhelming performance last year in a loss to Washington of St. Louis and first-team all-America hurler Laurel Sagartz.

However, Hartwig seems confident this weekend could permanently repress those memories.

This spring, Hartwig is a far more assertive starter. Thus, this weekend she'll simply rock and fire, allowing fate to take over.

"We really would like to get to the World Series," Hartwig noted, smiling, "and have fun while we're doing it."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com

NCAA Division III softball

What: Regional at Rock Island, Ill.

Who: No. 2 seed Wartburg (29-6) vs. No. 7 Alma (Mich.) (25-11)

Fast facts: Ashley Steines (.421) and Ashley Rogers (.391) lead the Knights at the plate. … The Alma College Scots possess a .315 team batting average, led by Brittany Fales (.385). … Alma sports a 2.40 staff ERA. … DePauw (37-2) is the region's top seed. …. Wartburg could play its chief rival, sixth-seeded Coe (31-14) on Friday, if the Kohawks can knock off Wisconsin-Whitewater in their opener.

Tourney talk: "Having been through the regionals the last couple years, it does help from a confidence standpoint. … We're going to emphasize to our players to just play the current pitch. That's what's helped us in tournament settings." - Wartburg coach Kara Kehe