May 19, 2011

Box Score

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (47-3) won its first pool-play game, 9-0 over Midland (Neb.) (19-32) in day one of the NAIA Softball National Championship. The event is being held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Trevecca hurler Lauren Baker (25-0) struck out four of the first six batters she faced on her way to a one-hit shutout of the Midland Warriors. In all, Baker pitched five innings for the complete game one-hit shutout. The TranSouth Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year allowed just three hits and struck out six Warriors. 

This was Baker's 14th complete game of the year and fourth shutout.

 
Kerra Grantski (1-11) pitched the complete game for the Warriors, who are making their second-consecutive trip to the event. Grantski allowed nine hits and nine runs (eight earned). Trojan batters drew one walk and only two were retired on strikes. 

Trevecca, who own the nation’s longest active winning streak at 19-straight, scored four runs in the first, one in the third and then another four runs in the fourth. Both teams committed an error. 

Heather Shuler provided the punch in the first inning with a three-run home run. Shuler was 1-for-2 with a run scored and three RBIs. Kelsey Lantrip also hit for extra bases with a double and finished the day 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Kari Mason added two stolen bases while going 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI.

Shuler now has four home runs on the season and 40 RBIs. Kari Mason has now stolen 21 bases in 24 attempts and leads the team with 49 runs scored. 

For Midland, Ashley Willard rapped the teams only hit. That occurred with two outs in the fifth inning.

Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) will play Northwood (Texas) on Friday at 10 a.m. CDT. Midland is scheduled to face Oregon Tech at 3 p.m. on Friday.

For the complete schedule, click here.