May 21, 2011

GULF SHORES, Ala. – (Box Score) Northwood (Texas) pitcher Taylor Jones helped her team on the offensive end in the 1-0 victory over Midland (Neb.) on the final day of pool play action at the 2011 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Jones, who went 5.0 innings in the starting duty, hit a sacrifice fly to score Tancy Matthews in the bottom of the eighth for the game-winning run.

Larisa Garcia got credit for the victory, coming on in relief of Jones. Garcia pitched 3.0 innings striking out four and walking two. She allowed just two hits. She improved to 21-7 on the season

Midland’s Erica Miller was hit with the tough loss, going 7.2 innings. She struck out three, walked one and allowed seven hits.

Both pitchers controlled opposing batters and got out of continuous jams. Northwood stranded 10 runners, while Midland stranded eight.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Matthews notched her second hit with one out on a single. She advanced to third on an errant throw by the shortstop. After a walk to load the bases, Matthews came home on the fly to right field.

Mathews led the Knights offensively, going 2-for-4.  Lenae Kryszak went 2-for-4 for Midland.

Northwood finishes Pool B play with a 1-2 record and ends the season at 38-15. The Warriors end the year at 19-34 after a 0-3 pool-play record.

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