May 18, 2007

William Penn University holds off Bellevue University 1-0 at 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. -  William Penn University scored the only run of the game in the sixth inning as the Statesmen defeated Bellevue University 1-0 Friday (May 18) evening in pool-play action at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship being played at Wilson Morgan Park.

The 19^th-ranked Statesmen improved to 46-12 overall and to 1-1 in Pool D while the 11^th-ranked Bruins fell to 34-6 and 0-2. Both teams return to action Saturday (May 19). William Penn will take on Tiffin University in a 1 p.m. contest while Bellevue will entertain Saint Gregory's University at 3:30 p.m.

Kimberly Coleman, who went 3-for-3, led off the bottom of the sixth with a single off starter Jen Miller (19-4). Coleman moved over to third base on a double to left field by Ashley Brant, who went 2-for-3. Coleman got in a rundown between third and home on Tyanna Helton's ground out and was able to beat the throw home for the deciding run.

Meghan Oden improved to 30-8 as she surrender just two hits and struck out six.