May 19, 2007

Simon Fraser University advances at 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship with 5-4 victory over Vanguard University

DECATUR, Ala. - For the second time in as many days, Simon Fraser University used a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out a 5-4 Pool B victory over Vanguard University Saturday (May 19) afternoon at the NAIA Softball National Championship being held at Wilson Morgan Park.

The No. 4 Clan, who used a four-run seventh-inning rally Friday in a 9-8 victory over Lee University, improved to 23-3 overall and to 3-1 in pool play. With the win, the Clan earned the No. 2 seed from Pool B and will advance to the double-elimination portion of the tournament that begins Monday (May 21). Vanguard ended its season at 41-16 and 2-2.

Vanguard had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth Jennifer Olvera connected on a 1-2 offering from SFU hurler Jennifer Schreyer (16-2) for a three-run homer to left field.

Melanie Matthews started the seventh-inning rally with a double to right field and took third on a stolen base. After Erin McLean was hit by a pitch and Terra Davenport walked to load the bases, Rebecca Hartley laced a single to right off reliever Kelsey Boyer that scored both Matthews and McLean to give the Clan the victory.