WAVERLY - Angela Hartwig won't reveal any secrets.

Asked why the Wartburg College pitching staff has been so dominant this spring, the senior politely responded, "I rather not comment on that."

Whatever it is, the Knights' pitching staff has opponents fooled.

Hartwig and sophomore Lexy Determan have been stellar in the circle for the Knights, combining for a 33-4 record, 0.74 ERA and 309 strikeouts in 228 1/3 innings. The ERA is tops in Division III out of 290 programs.

"Angela and Lexy have been phenomenal," said Wartburg head coach Kara Kehe, whose club is ranked 12th in the country heading into this weekend's Iowa Conference tournament. "We have felt like every game they've had the potential to go beyond just giving us a quality outing and putting us in a position we can shut other teams down."

Hartwig has been an IIAC standout for four seasons. The North Scott grad owns a 72-10 career mark, including a 16-3 record and 0.83 ERA this year.

"Other coaches look at her as being that dominant pitcher," Kehe said.

Determan, in her first year at Wartburg, has tossed eight complete games and four shutouts.

"Lexy is a new face for people, a different look we've been able to put on the mound," Kehe said. "They've certainly complemented each other very well this season."

Wartburg is hitting .328, but the players admit its success starts in the circle.

"They've been the heart and soul of our team this year," senior Amy Daniels said. "If we can put up three or four runs in a game, it's more than likely we're going to win."

Wartburg's season started to take shape after going 11-1 during its trip to Tucson, Ariz., to kick off the year. The Knights threw shutouts in six of those games.

"Coming back from Arizona was a good indicator we could have a really good season," Hartwig said. "We have great team chemistry. We mesh so well."

Now, the Knights, who finished a half-game behind champion Central for the league title, are hoping to embark on an extended postseason run.

"If we put our mind to everything and go as hard as we can, we can take this a long way," outfielder Tina Vande Hoef said.

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

Tournament tough

A look at why Wartburg will challenge for an IIAC tournament title this weekend …

First round: No. 2 seed Wartburg (35-4) vs. winner of No. 3 Coe (30-10) and No. 6 Dubuque (12-24), 4 p.m. today

Stat leaders: Hitting - Amy Daniels (.440 average, 5 HRs, 35 RBIs), Tina Vande Hoef (.393 average, 6 HRs, 34 RBIs); Pitching - Lexy Determan (17-1, 0.63 ERA, 110 2/3 IP, 151 Ks), Angela Hartwig (16-3, 0.83 ERA, 117 2/3 IP, 158 Ks).

Why they could thrive: The Knights, who have won 30 games or more in seven consecutive seasons, are first in the nation with a 0.74 ERA.

Title talk: "We're all very hard workers, all very motivated and we want to get to the World Series."

- Wartburg senior pitcher Angela Hartwig