May 18, 2007

Simon Fraser rallies for four runs in the bottom of seventh inning to prevail 9-8 over Lee University at 2007 NAIA Softball National Tournament

DECATUR, Ala. - Simon Fraser University rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Lee University 9-8 in pool-play competition at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship Friday (May 18) afternoon at Wilson Morgan Park.

The fourth-ranked Clan improved to 22-2 overall and to 2-0 in Pool B while the No. 7 Flames fell to 42-14 and 0-1. Simon Fraser returns to the field at 9:30 a.m. Saturday (May 19) when they play Oklahoma City University. Lee will play Vanguard University at 7:30 p.m. later today.

With Lee leading 8-5 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Clan pulled within a run on Rebecca Hartley's two-run homer to left-center field off Sarah Warren (14-5). Carly Moir reached on an error by second baseman Casie Connolly. After Moir was pinch ran for by Jessie Harris, Carolyn Bell stroked a double down the right-field line. Harris scored on the play and Bell came around with the winning run after right fielder Natalia Sergeeva's throw trying to get Bell at third base was wild.

Haley Cicchetti (6-1) earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of relief. Melanie Matthews, Erin McLean, Bell and Danielle Kerluke each collected two hits for the Clan while Matthews drove in a pair of runs on a homer to center in the third inning.

Emily Broyles led the Flames with three hits while JaAndrea Hinton and Sergeeva each had two. Hinton added a two-run homer for Lee in the top of the sixth.