May 23, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY CAPTURES 2007 NATIONAL TITLE
Stars Defeat Point Loma Nazarene 7-2

Decatur, Ala. - From the 2007 NAIA National Softball Championship at Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur, Alabama, Oklahoma City University (53-6) defeated Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) 7-2 in the title game to remain undefeated in the tournament.

The Stars of Oklahoma City took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning and held the lead for the entire game.  Leading the 2007 tournament in hitting (.325) and RBI (42), Oklahoma City continued their offensive dominance in the title game.  After scoring two runs in the second, the Stars added four in the fourth inning and one additional run in the sixth inning.

The four-run rally in the top of the third inning began when third baseman Cat Calvert (2-for-4) scored on a bobble by first baseman Jessica Hibma. The Stars scored three additional runs in the inning by Erin Slettvet (2-for-2), Brittani Ellis (1-for-4), and Laurin Hess (1-for-3).

Most Valuable Player Dasha Shemebreva pitched seven complete innings allowing one earned run and striking out five batters.  Shembereva, in the tournament, pitched 40.1 innings, allowing only two earned runs in eight games.  Shembereva's eight wins will set a new tournament record for wins.

Point Loma Nazarene scored one run in each of the third and fourth innings but failed to score late and fell to the Stars.  Centerfielder Paige Powell led the Sea Lions going 2-for-4 with one run scored.  Left fielder Amanda Addie was also 2-for-4 in the contest.

Four pitchers combined to suffer the loss for Point Loma with Tyler Lent dropping her season record to 15-5 on the season.  Lent was the starter with Kira Wommer coming into relief in the third inning.  Melissa Gomez entered in the fourth inning and KC Robertson entered in the sixth inning.

More information on the 2007 championship, please visit www.naia.org.