Story by Chad Waller, Director of Communications & Sports Information
Pictures courtesy of Rick Dominowski, Click HERE to order

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – (Box Score) No. 7 Oregon Tech opened up the 35th Annual NAIA Softball World Series, presented by Security National Bank and Morningside College with a 7-5 victory over 10th-seed Dickinson State (N.D.) on Friday morning. After jumping up to a 7-2 lead, the Owls saw Dickinson State score three runs in the fifth inning to make things interesting.

Oregon Tech, the 2011 national titlist, advances to face the defending national champs No. 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (42-8) on Saturday at 4 p.m. CDT. The Blue Hawks fall to the elimination bracket to take on the loser of No. 3 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) / No. 6 Mobile (Ala.) Saturday at 1 p.m.

In the first two innings, Oregon Tech’s offense got out to a strong start taking a 5-0 lead. Katie Virtue led off the game with a single and scored on a RBI-base hit by Tara Moates. The Owls sent eight batters to the plate in the second inning, with the big hit coming from McKenzie Shrum. The junior outfielder laced her eighth double of the season, which plated three runs.

Dickinson State, playing in its first World Series since 2010, got back into the game with single runs in the second and third innings and a big fifth frame. Janell Laront homered to center to lead off the fifth inning. Four batters later, Monique Yslas delivered a two-RBI double. That effort forced out Oregon Tech starting pitcher Rylee Carleton. Despite putting runners on second and third base, the Blue Hawks could not plate any more runs.

Leading 7-5 in the bottom of the sixth, reliever Jessi Duncan pitched through a bases-loaded, out-out jam to preserve the Oregon Tech advantage.

Duncan was credited with a save in 2 2/3 innings. Carleton improved to 21-4 on the year going 4 1/3 innings. She allowed five earned runs on seven hits, walked six and struck out three.

Regan Lawrence fell to 26-7 in the circle for the Blue Hawks.

Virtue led the 12-hit attack for Oregon Tech with a 3-for-4 effort. Three other Owls compiled a pair of hits.

For Dickinson State, Alex Vargas, Morgan Glowa and Claudia Torres each had two hits apiece. Yslas finished with two RBIs.

Stretch Internet, the NAIA’s official video-streaming company of 17 select NAIA national championship events, will be broadcasting all 19 games of the 2015 NAIA Softball World Series. The All-World Series package can be purchased for $20. For more information, including how to register for an account, click here.

The double-elimination event is being played out at the Elizabeth & Irving Jensen Softball Complex. The City of Sioux City and Morningside College serve as official hosts for the first time. For more information on the 2015 NAIA Softball World Series, click here.