May 25, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - - Oklahoma City (43-12) blanked California Baptist (61-3) 2-0 in the opening round of double-elimination play at the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Monday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. The Stars will move on to take on William Carey (Miss.), while the Lancers fall to the losers' bracket and will face Bethel (Ind.). Both games will begin Tuesday at 12 p.m.

Lily LaVelle (22-4) took the win for Oklahoma City from the circle, throwing a one-hit complete game. She issued three free passes and struck out nine California Baptist batters. Tory Ferreira suffered the loss for the defending national champions, allowing two unearned runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in seven innings of work.

The contest was scoreless through six full innings until the Stars finally got on the board in the top of the seventh after stranding three base runners.

A line out and a ground out opened the frame. With two outs, Laurin Hess connected on Ferreira with an infield single to the right side. Jenni Gaby was sent in to pinch run for Hess. LeeAnn Lopez followed at the plate and reached on an error by California Baptist second baseman Briana Corral and Gaby moved up 60 feet. Jen Davis earned a free pass from Ferreira to load the bases with Stars.

Timely hitting by Kelby Roberson with a single to right field, but was tagged out diving back to second. However, the third out came one hit too late, as both Gaby and Lopez scored on the play and Oklahoma City took the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, a line out, strike out and another line out would retire the side in order for California Baptist, and the Stars held on to the win.