May 19, 2007

Tiffin University edges William Penn University 7-6 in 10 inningsat 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. - Stephanie Orr's RBI single with one out in the bottom of the 10 inning gave Tiffin University a 7-6 victory over William Penn University in Pool D action of the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday (May 19) afternoon at Wilson Morgan Park.

The No. 20 Dragons improved to 36-11 overall and to 2-1 within the pool while the No. 19 Statesmen fell to 46-13 and 1-2. Both teams conclude pool play with games later today. William Penn will face Point Loma Nazarene University at 6 p.m. while Tiffin will face Bellevue University at 8:30 p.m.

The Dragons forced the extra softball with a two-out, two-run homer to center field by Melissa Bowie, who went 2-for-4 in the bottom of the seventh that tied the game at 6. It would stay that way until the 10th.

Cyla Hawkins led off the inning with a double to left-center field off William Penn reliever Natalie Fowler (8-2). After Nicole Romero walked, both runners moved up a base on a Tracy Lehman sacrifice bunt. Orr, who went 3-for-5, connected on a single to right for the game-winning RBI.

Krista Sowers (16-6) earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Dragons.