Story by Chad Waller, NAIA Media Coordinator
Pictures courtesy of NAIAPictures.com

COLUMBUS, Ga. – (Box Score) No. 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) junior Katie Spain ripped a three-run home and junior pitcher Cassie Daniels made it stand as the Warhawks blanked No. 7 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), 3-0, in second day action of the 2014 NAIA Softball World Series at the South Commons Softball Complex on Saturday. The Warhawks remain in the winner’s side of the bracket and move on to play No. 6 William Carey (Miss.) Monday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Leading off the fifth inning, the Warhawks got back-to-back bunt singles before Spain knocked her ninth homer of the season. A single by Lauren Shaw chased Lindsey Wilson starting pitcher Jordan Hood. At that point, Auburn Montgomery led 3-0, which was plenty for starting pitcher Cassie Daniels.

“She’s (Spain) been in this situation before,” said Auburn Montgomery head coach Christina Steiner Wilcoxson. “This is her third year at the World Series and she’s been a rock-solid performer for us. It was a huge moment for her, she stayed with the pitch and got a good piece of the ball.”

Daniels finished the game on a strong note, sitting down the final 10 Blue Raiders batters to improve to 18-4 on the year. She fanned nine batters, walked one and allowed just three hits.

“They are a very good ball team, they’re good hitters, they have a whole bunch of power numbers so we knew going in they were going to be tough,” said Daniels on her pitching effort. “Our coaches and our catcher did a good job keeping the pitches mixed up and we kept them off balance. It was tough but I knew they (our offense) were going to come through. If I’ve done my job, they’ll do their job.”

Amie Kelly and Therese Byrne each claimed two hits for the Warhawks. One of those hits were bunt singles preceding Spain’s home run.

The best scoring threat for Lindsey Wilson came in the 2nd and 4th innings as the Blue Raiders put two runners on base. But, Daniels ended the threat with a strikeout and a pop-out, respectively.

Bailey Mize, Abbi Goedde and Travatia Bowden each rapped singles for the Blue Raiders.

The no runs scored by Lindsey Wilson is a first since March 10, 2013 against the same opponent, Auburn Montgomery.

The Blue Raiders posted four errors on the day.

In the circle, Hood falls to 25-3 on the year and lost for the first time since March 27 against Campbellsville (Ky.). She lasted 4.0 innings and allowed all three earned runs on eight hits.

On Monday, Lindsey Wilson will take on No. 4 St. Gregory’s (Okla.) in the loser’s bracket at 10 a.m. EDT.

The 34th Annual Softball World Series is a 10-team, double-elimination event hosted by the Columbus Sports Council.

For more information, including updated bracket, stats and live streaming, click here.