May 23, 2011

GULF SHORES, Ala. – (Box Score) Emma Holden pitched California Baptist (63-3) to a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma City (47-13) to open double-elimination bracket play at the 2011 NAIA Softball National Championship Monday. Holden (33-1) dazzled in the circle for the Lancers, limiting the Stars to one hit while striking out eleven hitters in a complete-game effort. She threw 129 pitches and worked around four walks.

Lily LaVelle (30-9) took the loss for Oklahoma City, giving up one earned run on four hits in six innings of work. She struck out seven and walked one.

The Lancers' offense needed only one swing of the bat to win the game, and that came in the second inning with Kendall Gorham at the dish. Gorham took a swing at a 2-2 offering and sent a high drive over the center field fence for the winning tally.

Oklahoma City tried to rally one inning after the home run. A single and hit-batsman put two on with only one out in the third, but Holden finished the frame with a strikeout and infield pop out to strand the runners. With a Stars' runner at second and one out in the sixth, Holden snared a comebacker and fanned the final batter of the inning.

Holden, now credited with three of the four Lancer wins at the championship, continued her dominant pitching. She extended her championship-scoreless streak to 21-straight innings in four games pitched. During that span, she has tallied 38 strikeouts and allowed just two hits. She is the owner of a complete-game no-hitter and part of a combined no-no in this event.

California Baptist will match up with Cal State San Marcos at 12:30 p.m. CDT in the winner’s bracket, while the Stars will play an elimination game against Shorter (Ga.) at 12:30.

The 31^st annual event is played at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

For the complete schedule, click here.