THE EXPERTS IN THE BUSINESS OF SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Sandoval Carries Southern Oregon to 9-0 Elimination Round Victory

May 28, 2018

Story by Chad Waller, NAIA Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Pictures courtesy of Paul Penders Photography, Click HERE to order

CLERMONT, Fla. – (Box Score) (Bracket) Gabby Sandoval bounced back from a rough outing in the World Series opener and led No. 6 seed Southern Oregon to a 9-0 shutout of No. 9 seed Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in an elimination game Monday at the NAIA Softball World Series. Sandoval allowed eight hits in the complete-game blanking, three days after giving up four earned runs in 1.1 innings against Marian (Ind.). The 38th annual event is hosted by PFX Athletics for the second-straight year.

Up Next:

Southern Oregon survives to face the loser of No. 3 Marian (Ind.) / No. 10 Columbia (Mo.) Tuesday at Noon EDT in the elimination bracket.
With a 1-2 World Series record, the loss ends the Freed-Hardeman season with a 36-16 mark.

Key Turning Point of the Game:

The Raiders offense delivered big hits all day. They scored multiple runs in four different innings.
In the top of the first inning, Southern Oregon scored two runs on three hits to take a 2-0 lead.
The Raiders finished with nine runs on eight hits, including two extra-base knocks.

Clutch Performer

Southern Oregon pitcher Gabby Sandoval ended her day in the circle with four strikeouts. She improved to 25-6 on the year.
Of the eight hits allowed, six of them were singles.
In the Friday loss to Marian (Ind.), Sandoval faced seven batters allowing four runs in the start. She gave up four hits, a walk and hit a batter.

Game Notes:

In the fifth inning, Southern Oregon’s Harlee Donovan smashed her 12th home run of the season and second of the World Series. Donovan went 1-for-2 with two walks, three RBI and three runs scored.
With the three RBI, Donovan stands with 75 on the year, good for third in the NAIA.
Tayler Walker and Karlee Coughlin each rapped out two base hits to lead Southern Oregon.
The top of the Freed-Hardeman order went 4-for-8. Caitlyn Carter, who posted a seventh-inning triple, and Emily Bombard were the offensive spark for the Lady Lions.
With a 2-1 record in the World Series, Southern Oregon improves to 4-3 in its second-ever appearance.
In its first World Series, Freed-Hardeman falls to 1-2 all-time.
There have been five home runs hit by four different players in this World Series.
The team scoring first through nine games now is 7-3.
The home team stands 3-7.
The higher seeds now hold a 7-3 record thus far in the World Series.