May 18, 2007

Shorter College edges Thomas (Ga.) University 3-2 at 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. -  Shorter College edged Thomas (Ga.) University 3-2 in the final Pool C contest Friday (May 18) evening at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship being played at Wilson Morgan Park.

The ninth-ranked Hawks improved to 44-10 while the 13^th-ranked Night Hawks fell to 25-18. Both teams stand at 1-1 in pool play after the first day of the tournament. Both teams play again Saturday (May 19).  Thomas will face Bethel (Ind.) College at 12:30 p.m. while Shorter will entertain Houston Baptist University at 3 p.m.

Shorter touched up Thomas starter Stacie David (10-9) for two first-inning runs. Jessica Sanders drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly to right field. Kerry Hammond added a RBI single to right-center field.

Thomas got one of the runs back in the fourth on a solo home run to left in the bottom of the fourth. Shorter added an insurance run in the top of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead on RBI single by Dana Abrams, who went 2-for-3.

That run was huge as Thomas scored a run in its half of the sixth on a Candice Wimmer's home run to center.

Missy Duke (23-6) scattered four hits and struck out eight as she picked up the win.