May 21, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - William Carey (Miss.) and California State-San Marcos were victorious in Pool E action in the opening day of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex Thursday.

William Carey topped Mount Mercy (Iowa) 12-5 to improve to 41-13 on the season. The Mustangs fell to 36-10 with the loss. Alyssa Boutwell started for the Lady Crusaders, but only threw one-third of an inning, giving up three runs on two hits and issued a free pass. Melanie Bush entered in relief to pick up the win for William Carey, throwing 6 2/3 with two runs on six hits. Bush walked two and struck out six on the mound. For Mount Mercy, Becca Smith took the loss, giving up10 runs, eight of which were earned, on 13 hits. She struck out six and walked two. Jackie Nale took over in the sixth and threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks.

The offensive charge for the Lady Crusaders was led by Casey Alexander (3-for-4), Judy Barber (3-for-3) and Jeana Erickson (4-for-5). The trio combined for 10 hits, nine runs scored and nine RBIs in 12 at-bats.

The Mustangs teamed together for eight hits, but struggled to get the timely hit, stranding six runners on the base pads. Mount Mercy also committed three team errors while on the field.

California State-San Marcos (39-14) took a 3-2 win over Union (Ky.) (20-17) in a game that was pushed to eight innings. The starting pitchers for both the Cougars and the Lady Bulldogs had complete-game efforts, throwing 116 and 134 pitches, respectively. Brenna Sandberg took the win for California State-San Marcos, allowing just two runs on three hits. She walked just one Lady Bulldog, while striking out 14 of the 27 batters she faced. Sarah Driver took the loss for Union, giving up three runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Elizabeth Bush went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the Cougars and Kimi Villalpando went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. The contest quickly turned into a defensive battle as the teams combined for 48 putouts. Villalpando had 15 of the California State-San Marcos' 24.

The Lady Bulldogs couldn't match the offensive effort from the Cougars, as a trio of batters combined for just three hits. Gina Loflin had 10 of the 24 putouts for Union.

Friday's action in Pool E features California State-San Marcos taking on Mount Mercy at 1 p.m. and William Carey against Union at 6 p.m.