May 22, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - California Baptist and Midland Lutheran chalked up wins in Pool A action at the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.

Holy Names held a 3-0 advantage through two innings on the defending national champs before California Baptist's bats unleashed for 12 runs in the bottom of the third en route to a 13-5 win. The Lancers move to 2-0 in the pool and 60-2 overall, while the Hawks drop to 0-2 and 27-22.

The Hawks opened with back-to-back walks by Tayrn Thomas and Allison Snider and were brought around by Rachael Martinez's double to right-center field for the 2-0 lead in the first inning. Laurel Clough singled up the middle to bring in Thomas, who was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk, in the top of the second frame to go up 3-0.

That lead wouldn't last long. In the bottom half of the third inning, California Baptist sent 14 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs on 11 hits. Sarah Strong, Ashely Boyd and Brianna Corral each homered during the attack. Corral knocked out a three-run shot, Corral sent out a two-run homer and Boyd's longball was a solo. Corral again sent a pitch sailing in the bottom of the fifth frame to give the Lancers four homers in the game.

California Baptist's four longballs ties the championship record with William Carey (Miss.). The Lady Crusaders sent four pitches over the fence Thursday in a 12-5 route of Mount Mercy (Iowa) in Pool E action to break the 13-year record. Oklahoma City previously held the mark with three against Mobile (Ala.) in 1997.

Sophomore Emma Holden (19-0) picked up the win, giving up just one hit and striking out eight. Nicole Guttormsen recorded the loss for Holy Names, giving up six earned runs on five hits.

Midland Lutheran (30-24) picked up its first win in Decatur, defeating Olivet Nazarene 4-1. Both teams stand at 1-1 in the pool. Kelly Sladek took the win for the Warriors, going all seven innings and giving up just one earned run on eight hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Sladek threw 146 pitches in the effort.

Kelly Blucker took the loss for Olivet Nazarene (56-15), throwing a complete game and allowing four runs, two of them earned, on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

The game was quiet through four innings until Midland Lutheran pulled away and took two in the top of the fifth on two hits and an Olivet Nazarene error. In the bottom of the six frame, the Tigers got one back in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a triple by Jordan Reynolds. She then scored on a Rachel Comogilo sac fly, putting the game at 2-1.

Kelly Sladek got her second hit of the day with a single through the infield and was replaced on the base pads by Sarah Dunn in the top of the seventh. With one out, Annie Hoesing went yard to deep left field to give Midland Lutheran two more runs and a solid 4-1 lead. Sladek closed down Olivet Nazarene in the bottom of the frame to seal the victory for the Warriors.

Pool A action will conclude Monday with Holy Names and Midland Lutheran squaring off at 11:30 a.m., followed by California Baptist taking on Olivet Nazarene at 4:30 p.m.