May 18, 2009

DECATUR, Ala. - Dickinson State (N.D.) University survived their first elimination game with a 9-6 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) College in the 29^th Annual NAIA Softball National Championships.  Dickinson State, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA, advances to face Oklahoma City in another elimination game on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

Notre Dame, ranked No. 25 in the NAIA was the lowest seeded team to advance to the final eight.  Notre Dame had just eliminated No. 9 Martin Methodist (Tenn.) and took a 3-2 lead over Dickinson State going into the fourth inning.  However, this game proved to be a back-and-forth contest that included six lead changes. 

Dickinson State (41-4) responded with a run in the fourth and fifth inning to lead 5-4.  Notre Dame answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead.  But once again, Dickinson State bounced back with two runs in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh to seal the win. 

Kyrstin Gemar and Danielle Crawford each tallied three hits in the game to lead Dickinson State.  Gemar added two RBI and two run scored, including a homerun.  Notre Dame's Anna Ball was 3-for-4 with a homer. 

Notre Dame ends their season with a 34-11 record.

-NAIA-