May 22, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Lee (Tenn.) and Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) moved to 2-0 in Pool B during the second day of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.

Lee (57-4) improved to 2-0 in pool play by rolling past Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) 9-1 in five innings. SCAD pushed across the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning, but Lee's offense went to work by scoring in the second, third and fourth frames. The Lady Flames had seven players combine to pound nine hits off of a trio of Bee pitchers, including three home runs and had four players drive in runs. With the loss, SCAD (35-17) falls to 0-2 in pool play.

Senior Johanna Gomez led the charge with three RBI on a 2-for-2 showing at the plate, highlighted by a three-run blast over the left-field fence. Joining Gomez with longballs were Danielle Blaough's two-run home run to center and a left-field solo shot by Hernanza Ruiz.

Gomez also picked up her 30th win of the season from the circle, scattering four hits and giving up an earned run in four innings of work. Kristen Curette, Kiara Boccia and Samantha White all saw action from the mound for the Bees, giving up eight earned runs on nine hits. Curette took the loss for SCAD from the circle and Courtney Meikina brought in the lone Bee run.

A sixth-inning solo shot by Melinda Patterson lifted Trevecca Nazarene 3-2 over Notre Dame (Ohio) 3-2 to remain undefeated (2-0) in pool play. The Falcons, who now stand at 25-26 overall, drop to 0-2 in championship action. Lauren Baker pitched the win for the Trojans (43-15), throwing a complete game, giving up just two earned runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Ashley Harbarger went all seven innings for Notre Dame and gave up three runs, two of which were earned, on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in the loss.

Tied at 1-1 going into the fifth, a wild throw by left fielder Michelle Dykes scored Karli Rush, who earned a base on balls, to give Trevecca Nazarene a 2-1 lead.

Notre Dame answered and took one back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Felisha Jones led off the inning with a double to center. She then moved to third on Jackie Spehar's infield single and then crossed the plate on an infield single by Mallory Harder to tie the game at 2-2.

On a 1-2 count in the top of the sixth inning, Trojans' Melinda Patterson knocked one over the right-field fence for the go-ahead run.

Monday's Pool B action pits SCAD and Notre Dame at 11:30 a.m., followed by Lee and Trevecca Nazarene at 4:30 p.m.