May 22, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Oklahoma City and Minot State (N.D.) were victorious in Pool H action on the second day of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex Saturday.

Down 4-2 with the bases loaded and facing an 0-2 count with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Lily LaVelle sent a Jess Irwin pitch sailing over the left-field fence to propel Oklahoma City past Madonna (Mich.) 6-4. With the win, the Stars move to 42-11 overall and 2-0 in Pool H, while Madonna (43-11) slips to 1-1.

Madonna jumped on the board in the bottom of the second with four runs. Tara LaMilza and Erica Landess led off with walks and LaMilza came around to score off a single by Hallie Minch. Landess advanced to second on the single and then to third on a sacrifice bunt by Arielle Cox and Landess later scored on a passed ball with Minch advancing to third. Rachael Kethe and Kelly Lesko both reached on walks to load the bases. Two batters later, Cat Sidor singled to score Minch and Kethe, giving the Crusaders a 4-0 lead at the end of the second.

With its back against the wall, Oklahoma City finally connected on Irwin in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitting for Wilburn, Kendall Hobens led off with a bunt for a base hit. Laurin Hess was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single by LeeAnn Lopez that sent Hobens home. A groundout by Kelby Roberson brought in Hess and Lopez advanced to second on Irwin's wild throw. A bobbled ball by Kelly Lesko got Amanda Howard safely to first and allowed Lopez's pinch runner, Shari Misuraca, to advance to third. Howard stole second and Autumn Mayberry walked to load the bases. LaVelle's heroic grand slam clinched the win.

The Crusaders' final at-bats resulted in three-straight fly outs to end the game.

Ashley Wilburn took the win for the Stars after entering in relief for LaVelle. Wilburn threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. LaVelle spent 1 1/3 inning in the circle and gave up four runs, three of them earned, on one hit with two walks and fanned a pair. Irwin suffered the loss for Madonna, throwing all seven innings and giving up six unearned runs on four hits with just one walk and five strikeouts.

Minot State (33-14) defeated Concordia (Calif.) 5-2 to improve to 1-1 in pool play. Concordia fell to 41-20 overall and 1-1 in Decatur. Mandy Greenberg threw a complete game for the Beavers to take the win. She allowed two unearned runs on eight hits and struck out a pair. Jennifer Simons started and took the loss for the Eagles, going 2 2/3 innings and gave up five earned runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Rachel Reekstin entered in relief in the fourth inning and pitched two and 1 1/3 inning and allowed one hit with two walks.

Concordia held a 2-1 lead through 3 1/2 innings, but Minot State got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth with four runs. With one out, Molly Lundeen singled up the middle and then stole second. Eagle pitcher Rachel Reekstin walked three straight batters to load the bases. Beaver lead off batter Janessa Penner capitalized with a base-clearing double to left-center field for a three-run lead and eventually the 5-2 victory.

Pool play will conclude on Monday with Pool H games between Madonna and Minot State at 9 a.m., followed by Oklahoma City and Concordia (Calif.) at 2 p.m.