May 20, 2011

GULF SHORES, Ala. – (Box Score) Oklahoma City (46-12) shut out St. Thomas (Fla.) (31-23) 3-0 on day two of pool play action at the 2011 NAIA Softball National Championship Friday.

Lily LaVelle (29-8) turned in terrific work in the circle to pick up the victory for the Stars. She struck out 10 and allowed only two hits and walked five in the complete game effort. Brenda Emerson (12-11) took the loss despite giving up only four hits and one earned run in seven innings of action for the Bobcats.

Three St. Thomas errors aided the Oklahoma City cause as Katie Proffitt was the only Star to record multiple hits, as she finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

After a scoreless first inning, Oklahoma City started the second frame with a pair of runs on one hit and two errors. A hit-batsman started the inning and an errant pick-off attempt and misplayed grounder plated the two runs.

Saint Thomas had a chance to answer in the bottom half of the inning, but wasted a walk and single with nobody out thanks to two groundouts and a caught stealing.

Nathalie Timmermans added a RBI-single for the Stars in the top of the fifth, and St. Thomas again left runners on base in the bottom of the inning. A walk and single placed runners on with only one out, but LaVelle got a lineout and groundout to end the threat.

Oklahoma City battles Azusa Pacific (Calif.) Saturday at 2 p.m. CDT, while St. Thomas faces Mobile (Ala.) at 9 a.m. The Stars are 2-0 in pool play, while Saint Thomas is 0-2.

For the complete schedule, click here.