May 25, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Oklahoma City posted a 5-1 win over William Carey (Miss.) in double-elimination bracket action of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Tuesday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. The Stars, who now boast a record of 44-12, advance into Tuesday's semifinals to face Simon Fraser (B.C.) at 7:30 p.m. CDT. William Carey dropped down into the losers bracket for a 2:30 p.m. game against Belhaven (Miss.).

Lily LaVelle (23-4) tossed 5 2/3 innings of work for the Stars, giving up seven hits to the Lady Crusaders and one earned run. She struck out seven batters in the effort. Ashley Wilburn threw 1 1/3 innings, striking out three and giving up one hit. Taking the loss was Melanie Bush (8-4), surrendering four earned runs, two of which were earned, in 2 1/3 innings.

William Carey out-hit the Stars 8-7, but was plagued with three errors and the inability to get a timely hit as 14 Lady Crusaders were left stranded out on the base pads. Oklahoma City also had three miscues in the game.

Four Oklahoma City players recorded a hit in the contest and four were credited with driving in a run.

The Stars got on the board in the first inning courtesy of LaVelle's sacrifice fly on the left-field line that brought around Amanda Howard to score. Laurin Hess, the first batter of the second inning, took a 3-1 pitch from Bush over the left-field fence for a 2-0 Oklahoma City lead. Two additional runs were recorded in the top of the third on two hits and a Lady Crusader error. Two miscues loaded the bases for the Stars in the top of the sixth frame and reliever Anna Ard walked Kelby Roberson for a 4-0 Oklahoma City lead.

William Carey's lone run came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lark Nightengale led off the frame with a single to short and advanced on a bunt by Kelsey Smith. Tan Montgomery walked, pushing Nightengale and Smith to third and second, respectively. Judy Barber's groundout to Nathalie Timmermans sent Nightengale home for the score.