May 19, 2009

DECATUR, Ala. – With both teams trying to say alive in the 29^th Annual NAIA Softball National Championships, No. 3 Dickinson State (N.D.) University and No. 6 Oklahoma City University played down to the wire.  After losing a 6-1 lead in the top of the seventh, Dickinson State’s Kelly Jahn singled in the bottom of the seventh to win the game, 7-6.

Both teams scored a run in the third inning in what seemed to be developing into a pitchers duel.  However, in the bottom of the fifth, Dickinson State (42-4) scored five runs to take a commanding lead.  The first two runs scored on a dropped fly ball in the outfield with the bases loaded.  Dickinson State’s Danielle Crawford later hit a three-run homer to put her team up 6-1.

That score remained until the top of the seventh inning.  Oklahoma City, winners of eight national championships, had one last rally in them.  Erin Slettvet led off with a single to bring up Melissa Moore who promptly hit a two-run homer to give the Stars life.  Over the next six batters, Oklahoma City took advantage of a walk, four straight singles, and an outfield error to tie the game at 6-6.  Dickinson State final got out of the inning with a fielder’s choice to end the frame. 

In the bottom half of the seventh, Nicole Marcoux walked to lead off the inning.  Crawford, who had a homer back in the fifth inning, sacrificed the runner to second.  Jahn then sent her team into the final three with a game-winning single.

Crawford’s three RBI led Dickinson State, while Sara Jane Webster and Jahn led with two hits.  Jen Davis paced Oklahoma City with a 3-for-4 day, while Moore’s two RBI were tops on the team.

Webster earned the win in relief of starter Marcoux.  Ashley Wilburn took the loss for Oklahoma City.

Dickinson State advances to play St. Gregory’s at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.  Oklahoma City ends their season with a 53-9 record.

-NAIA-