May 22, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - California State-San Marcos and William Carey (Miss.) improved to 2-0 in Pool E action on the second day of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex Saturday.

California State-San Marcos teamed for a pair of hits to push across the game's only run in the top of the third inning to defeat Mount Mercy (Iowa) 1-0. The win was the 40th of the season for the Cougars (40-14) and they now stand at 2-0 in the pool. Mount Mercy's season record drops to 36-11 and have yet to pick up a win in pool play (0-2).

Kimi Villapando led off the Cougar third inning with a single laced down the right-field line and advanced to second after Ashley Estepa was hit by a pitch. A fielder's choice retired Villapando, but Estepa moved up to second and came around to score courtesy of Aylssa Dronenbug's single to right.

Mount Mercy connected three times off of California State-San Marcos' Brenna Sandberg, but left five runners stranded out on the bases. Sandberg struck out 11 Mustangs and issued four walks. The junior hurler has thrown two complete games in Dectuar and has registered 25 strike outs.

Becca Smith was charged with the loss for Mount Mercy, scattering four hits and giving up the earned run. She had four strike outs in the outing and issued one walk.

William Carey (42-13) opened with two runs in the first inning, posted two more in the third and exploded for eight in the sixth to cruise to a 12-3 win over Union (Ky.). The Lady Crusaders move to 2-0 in the pool, while the Lady Bulldogs (28-18) drop to 0-2 in their first trip to the NAIA Softball National Championship.

Anna Ard picked up the win for the Lady Crusaders, allowing three hits and one earned run. Union's Abby Sears took the loss, giving up eight runs, none of which were earned, on five hits.

Three William Carey players drove in multiple runs in the win, led by Larke Nightengale with four and a pair from both Judy Barber and Nikki Sanders. Nightengale blasted a grand slam in the top of the sixth and Baber hit a two-run shot in the opening frame.

The Lady Bulldogs struggled moving runners, leaving eight stranded on base in the loss. Driving in the runs were Sarah Driver, Ashley Tatman and Autumn Greenwell with one RBI each.

Pool E's action will conclude on Monday with Mount Mercy meeting Union at 9 a.m., followed by California State-San Marcos squaring off against William Carey at 2 p.m.