May 23, 2007

IT TAKES TWELVE INNINGS FOR POINT LOMA TO ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oklahoma City will face Point Loma in Title Game

Decatur, Ala. - From the 2007 NAIA National Softball Championship at Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur, Alabama, Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) (45-11) eliminated California Baptist University (59-5) 4-2 in 12 innings in the last game of the loser's bracket on Wednesday.

California Baptist scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Designated player Erin Moore (3-for-6) hit a one-out single to left field to begin the Lancer's rally.  Left fielder Cassandrah Carreon (0-for-5) grounded out to the pitcher to advance Moore to second.  Moore later scored on catcher Shawna Rainwater's (3-for-5) single to right field. For the tournament, Rainwater is hitting .480 (13-for-27) and leading all Lancer batters.  Center fielder Sara Goforth added three hits for California Baptist going 3-for-6 in addition to Moore and Rainwater's three hits.

Point Loma took the lead in the top of the fifth inning to tie the contest when shortstop Amber Randel (2-for-6) scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Paige Powell (0-for-6).  Both teams scored one run each in the tenth inning to force the game into extra innings.

In the top of the twevelth inning, Point Loma took the final lead of the game, scoring two runs.  The rally began on a one-out single to right field by designated player Melissa Gomez (3-for-6).  Gomez scored the first run of the inning on a single to left field by right fielder Randi Mead (2-for-6).  Mead scored the second run off first baseman Jessica Hibma's (4-for-6) double to deep right field.  The Sea Lions scored two runs on five hits in the winning while leaving three runners on base.

Senior KC Robertson earned the victory for Point Loma as a relief pitcher for starter Kira Wommer.  Robertson entered the game in the seventh inning pitching five and one-third innings allowing one earned run and striking out one batter.  For the tournament Robertson has a 0.25 earned run average with 28 innings pitched and 11 strikeouts.  Robertson improves her season record to 19-5.

Senior Candice Thomas suffered the loss in the relief of starter Amy Thomas.  Candice Thomas drops her season record to 31-3 on the season.  Thomas pitched three complete innings in relief with one strikeout and three earned runs.  For the tournament Candice Thomas had a 2.33 earned run average with 27 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts.

Point Loma advances to the championship game against Oklahoma City University at 2:00 p.m.

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