May 24, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Shorter (Ga.) scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning to beat Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) 2-1 to advance into the double-elimination bracket of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Monday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. The Hawks will take on Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.), the winner of Pool B, at 9 p.m. CDT.

The Hawks (50-14) posted runs in the first and third innings en route to their 50th win of the season. Libby Munson threw a five-hitter to improve her record to 28-5. Point Loma Nazarene's Tyler Lent (18-9) suffered the loss, giving up the two earned runs on three hits. The Sea Lions' 10th trip to the national championship ends with a 2-1 record in the pool and close out the season at 30-15.

Shorter got on the board in the bottom of the opening inning on a Munson sacrifice fly to right-center field that scored Tiffany Adams. Adams reached base on an infield single, moved up to second on a walk issued to Jessica Womble and stole third prior to scoring.

Point Loma Nazarene evened the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. Jill Schaefer led off the inning with a double to right field and advanced 60 feet when Jenel Guadagno sent a shot up the middle. Even though it was a groundout, Alex Wilkinson's hit to second brought Schaefer in to score.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Shorter's Hannah Strength singled to left-center field and was followed by a long double to left-center off of the bat of Charlsie Broome to score the go-ahead run.

Munson forced the next five of the seven batters she faced into groundouts to end the game.

MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) topped Ottawa (Kan.) 6-4 to close out pool play. The win was the first for the Pioneers in their inaugural trip to the national championship and wrap up their season with a record of 46-8. Ottawa's second trip to the event resulted in a 0-3 pool play record and finish at 27-10.

Four Pioneers provided RBIs in the winning effort, led by a pair from Ashley Mayhle in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Emily True, Ashley Salter and Laura Fields each brought in a run. Gale Christener was credited with the win and Penny Eastman picked up the save. Suffering the loss was Morgan Beckler, who gave up four earned runs on two MidAmerica Nazarene hits. Leading the offense for the Lady Braves was a two RBI showing from Lindsey Tuter. Michelle Bowman and Ashley Mundy each pushed across a run.