May 18, 2007

Four-run fifth inning helps Dickinson State University to a 7-5 victory over Savannah College of Art and Design at 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. -  Dickinson State University scored four runs - three of them unearned - in the fifth inning to break a tie game en route to a 7-5 victory over the Savannah College of Art and Design in pool-play action  at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship Friday (May 18) evening at Wilson Morgan Park.

The 16^th-ranked Blue Hawks improved to 30-6 while the Bees fell to 40-7. Both teams are 1-1 in Pool A. Both teams continue play Saturday (May 19). Dickinson State faces the University of Mobile at 2 p.m. while the SCAD will face the University of Virginia's College at Wise at 11:30 a.m.

With the game knotted at 3, Dickinson State started the decisive rally when Tiffany Saatzer, who went 3-for-5 with 4 RBI, reached on shortstop Jessica Scuilli's fielding error. Jenna Eger, who went 2-for-4, followed with a bunt single and pinch hitter Brandi Tomasovitch loaded the bases as she reached on a bunt single. Ashley Nuefield, who went 2-for-4, broke the tie with an RBI single to left.  Tanya Saatzer reached on a fielding error by second baseman Brittany Kelley that scored two more runs. The Blue Hawks scored their final run on a ground out by Dana Dunsmore.

SCAD got a run back in the sixth. Meghan Temple reached on a one-out single back up the middle and moved to second on Andrea Helenthal's ground out. D.J. Jordan drove Temple home with her single to center to close to 7-4.

The Bees added a final run in the seventh on Kelley's RBI single to left. SCAD had the tying runs on base but Mehgan Shaw (21-1) got Temple to fly out to end the threat for the Bees.

Kristen Curette (14-3), who went 2-for-4 at the plate, took the loss for the Bees. Whitney Hess collected two hits and had 2 RBI for the Bees while Heather Ellis had two hits.