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

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – (Box Score) Taylor Powell pitched the NAIA World Series’ first no-hitter in four years as two-time defending national champion and No. 2 seed Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) blanked No. 10 Webber International (Fla.), 8-0, in five innings at the 36th Annual NAIA Softball World Series, presented by Security National Bank and Morningside College. Powell, a senior from Alabaster, Ala., struck out four batters and allowed three walks to keep the Warhawks in the winner’s bracket.

Auburn Montgomery, who has now out-scored its opponents 30-2 in a current five-game win streak, next plays Monday at 7 p.m. CDT against No. 6 Southeastern (Fla.).

In the first inning, Sydney Dishman doubled down the left field line and drove in Amy Persinger to give the Warhawks a 1-0 edge.

Then in the top of the second frame, the rain and lightning halted action. After a 1 hour-44 minute weather delay, Webber International batted and came up empty. That was the theme all night for the Warrior batters. Powell needed just 79 pitches to record her NAIA-leading 34th season victory.

Powell becomes the first pitcher in NAIA World Series history since 2012 to toss a no-hitter. Katie Cotta of former member Concordia (Calif.) held Talladega (Ala.) hit-less on May 17, 2012.

The Warhawks tacked on single runs in the second and fifth innings and a five-spot in the fourth frame. The offensive highlights in the fourth inning were run-producing doubles by Persinger and Dishman. Both players led Auburn Montgomery with a pair of hits.

Auburn Montgomery is now 9-2 in its last 11 games in the NAIA World Series dating back to 2014.

Webber International pitcher Melanie Murphy finished with the loss to fall to 7-5 on the year. She went 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits as she walked three. Kayla Montgomery entered in relief and gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Webber International drops down into the elimination bracket to face No. 9 Williams Baptist (Ark.) Monday at 10 a.m.

Stretch Internet, the NAIA’s official video-streaming company of NAIA national championship events, will be broadcasting all 19 games of the 2016 NAIA Softball World Series on the NAIA Network. The All-World Series package can be purchased for $29.95 or the day package for $9.95. 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 second-straight time. For more information on the 2016 NAIA Softball World Series, click here.