May 17, 2008

DECATUR, Ala. - California Baptist and Dickinson State (N.D.) from Pool A advanced to the eight-team double elimination bracket at the 28th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship.

California Baptist defeated Shorter (Ga.), 4-2, and Bethel (Ind.), 5-2, to finish 4-0 in the pool play.  Allison Dennis drove in three runs while Amy Thomas struck out eight batters for the win against Shorter.  Melanie Ahumada started on the mound for the Lancers against Bethel and pitched 4.2 innings for the win.  Thomas came in relief and pitched 2.2 innings to close out the game.  Erin Moore, Nicole Shoemaker, Karina Slauenwhite and Dennis all drove in a run.

Dickinson State won both games on Saturday to finish 3-1 and advance to the bracket play.  The Blue Hawks knocked off Shorter 1-0 behind strong pitching by Sara Jane Webster.  She struck out eight batters in seven innings and scored the only run of the game.  DSU closed out the pool play with an 8-0 win over Indiana Southeast.  Mehgan Shaw picked up the win with seven shutout innings and eight strikeouts. 

Bethel posted 2-2 record after splitting its games on Saturday.  The Pilots defeated Indiana Southeast, 11-2 in five innings.  Katie Boocher had three RBI and scored two runs.

Indiana Southeast went winless with 0-4 record.

Bracket play will start on Monday, May 19 and will end with the championship game on Wednesday, May 21.  California Baptist will face Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) at 10 a.m. while Dickinson State (N.D.) will take on Lubbock Christian (Texas) at 12:30 p.m.

Pool A Standings
California Baptist: 4-0

Dickinson State (N.D.): 3-1

Bethel (Ind.): 2-2

Shorter (Ga.): 1-3

Indiana Southeast: 0-4