Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) Defeats William Woods (Mo.), 9-4 on Day 1
May 19, 2011
GULF SHORES, Ala. - Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (49-11) won its first game in pool-play action with a 9-4 victory against William Woods (Mo.) (30-22) on day one of the NAIA Softball National Championship. The event is being held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
With the score tied at 3-3 in the sixth inning, Olivet Nazarene batted through the order en route to scoring five runs. The big blows came off the bat of Lauren Johnson and Jordan Reynolds. Johnson rapped a two-RBI single, while Reynolds doubled to the gap in left-center that scored two runners.
Reynolds finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. She knocked her 14th home run of the season, a solo shot, in the first inning.
William Woods' Megan Willard hit her second homer of the season to lead off the fourth inning. Teammate Ashley DePew led the Owls with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
Starting pitcher Katie Hannagan pitched 7.0 innings for the Tigers to earn the victory. She allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits. She struck out four and walked two. The junior improved to 26-7 on the season.
Mackenzie Bowden was hit with the loss in the circle. She went 6.0 innings allowing nine runs on eight hits. She gave up seven walks and struck out 10.
Olivet Nazarene will look to win its second pool-play game as it faces Iowa Wesleyan on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CDT. William Woods is scheduled to play William Carey (Miss.) at 9:30 a.m.
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