May 19, 2011

Box Score 

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Defending national champion Simon Fraser (B.C.) (17-24) opened up pool-play action with a 10-2 victory against Reinhardt (Ga.) (40-9) on day one of the NAIA Softball National Championship. The event is being held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Trailing 1-0 after three innings, the Simon Fraser bats came alive. Leah Riske hit her team-leading 10^th home run to begin the frame. A RBI-double from Lauren Mew and a RBI-single from Rosie Murphy added two more runs. Those hits knocked out Reinhardt starter Maddie Monroe. Five batters later, the Clan increased their lead to 6-1. Pinch-hitter Sammie Olexa doubled-home two runners for the big blow.

Reinhardt cut the deficit to 6-2 in the fifth inning, before Simon Fraser plated two more in the sixth and a pair in the seventh.

Six Simon Fraser batters notched a double, led by Mew and Carly LePoutre. Both players went 2-for-4 from the plate and scored two runs. Overall, the Clan posted 13 hits and notched their third game of 10-plus runs on the season.

Lady Eagle Nikki Roddy was the leading hitter in the losing effort. She went 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Cara Lukawesky earned the victory by going 7.0 innings. She allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. She struck out two and walked four.

Monroe was hit with the loss for Reinhardt. She went 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on five hits.

Simon Fraser will compete against Lubbock Christian (Texas) on Friday at Noon CDT in pool play. The Lady Eagles face Simpson (Calif.) at 5 p.m.

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