May 26, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Oklahoma City topped California Baptist 4-3 to earn a spot in the title game of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship against Simon Fraser (B.C.) Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. Not only did the Stars advance to the season's marquee game, but won its 99th game in 24 total event appearances. Oklahoma City, who fell to the Clan 7-6 on Tuesday, must beat the Clan twice in order to win the National Championship.

This will be the 12th time that Oklahoma City has played in the title game. The Stars will be eyeing its ninth crown in the program's history and first since 2007. Twenty-two year head coach Phil McSpadden has coached his Oklahoma City teams to an 8-3 record in title games since first contending in 1986. It will also be the third time that the two teams have met for the National Championship. The Clan won 7-3 in 1999 and Oklahoma City avenged the loss with a 5-3 victory in 2001.

The defending national champion Lancers close out their seventh trip to the event with a 6-2 record to improve to 43-13 all-time. California Baptist ends its campaign at 64-4. While in Decatur, the Lancers earned a share of the single-game home run record (4), total doubles (14) and was one longball shy of the total home run record (11). Junior Briana Corral recorded the most individual total bases (30), total home runs (5) and bases in a single game (10).

Jenni Gaby (7-4) took the win for the Stars, tossing six innings from the mound and giving up three unearned runs on five hits. She issued one walk and one strikeout in the effort. Ashley Wilburn earned a save, throwing just one inning and giving up no runs or hits. Emma Holden suffered her first loss of the season for the Lancers, throwing 4 1/3 in the circle and allowed four earned runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. She closes out her sophomore campaign at 21-1.

Oklahoma City jumped out front early in the top of the first on a one-out solo shot to right field by Autumn Mayberry. Lily LaVelle reached on a walk, but the Stars could only get one as Nathalie Timmermans and Wilburn both struck out to end the inning with a 1-0 lead.

California Baptist got on the board in the bottom of the second, beginning with Caty Reeves reaching on an error by OCU shortstop Kelly Roberson. Amanda Collins entered to pinch run for Reeves and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Nicole Shoemaker. Nina Cabrales went to first after being hit by a pitch. With one down and runners on first and second, Sloan McHann singled to right-center to score Collins and send Cabrales to third. Sarah Strong then singled past the shortstop to score Cabrales and send McHann to second. Boyd flew out to end the inning, but not before the Lancers could get two and take the lead 2-1.

It would be the only time California Baptist would be ahead, however, as the Stars bounced back in the top of the fourth. Timmermans led off with a walk and Alicia Clifton entered to pinch run. Wilburn sent Clifton to second on a sac bunt. With one out, LeeAnn Lopez singled to right-center to bring Clifton home and the inning ended with the score knotted at 2-2.

In the following inning, Oklahoma City took two more from the Lancers. Jen Davis led off and was hit by a pitch and Gaby entered to pinch run. With a sac bunt from Kendall Hobens, Gaby moved to second and then to third off of a single to left from Amanda Howard. Howard stole second and then both Gaby and Howard scored off a single up the middle from Mayberry. Tori Ferreira entered to pitch for Holden and the inning ended with two groundouts, as the Stars took a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the fifth.

California Baptist got one back in the bottom of the sixth, as Cabrales reached first on a two-out error by Timmermans. McHann singled to right, sending Cabrales to third and Cabrales then scored on a passed ball. Strong grounded out to end the inning with Oklahoma City up 4-3.

A three up, three down top of the seventh brought the Lancers back to the plate with one last opportunity. Lead-off hitter Ashley Boyd got things started with a single to left and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Briana Corral, but second would be as far as Boyd would get. Kendall Gorham and Reeves both flew out in foul territory, as the Stars held on for the win.