May 24, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - Bethel (Ind.) defeated Lubbock Christian (Texas) 3-1 to advance into the double-elimination bracket of the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Monday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. Bethel will take on William Carey (Miss.), the winner of Pool E, at 9 p.m. CDT.

Bethel (48-7, 3-0) defeated Lubbock Christian 3-1, sending the Lady Chaps home with a 54-7 overall record and 2-1 in pool play at their third championship appearance. Kelli Zache earned the win for the Pilots, going 5 2/3 innings in the circle and allowing just one earned run on five hits. She walked one batter and struck out four. Rachel Zirille registered the save, entering in relief in the sixth and tossing 1 1/3 with no runs, no hits and one strikeout. Lubbock Christian's Alyssa Gutierrez suffered the loss having tossed six innings and giving up three earned runs on six hits with two walks and no strikeouts.

The game was scoreless through 4 ½ innings until the bottom of the fifth when Bethel took a three-run lead. Emily Lamkin was hit by a pitch and Ali Holsclaw was entered to pinch run. Holsclaw advanced to second on a sac bunt by Tara Blair and Holly Weaver reached on a walk. With two outs, Kaitlyn Dubois went yard to deep left field and the Pilots ended the inning up 3-0.

The Lady Chaps responded in the top of the sixth and got one run back. Jennifer Frazier singled up the middle and advanced to second on a passed ball. With one out, Daniela Garcia entered to pinch run for Frazier. Kayla Van Dieren singled to center field and Garcia advanced to third. With two down, Clarissa Maldonado singled up the middle to score Garcia, but it would be all that Lubbock Christian could get in the game, and Bethel held on to win by two.

In the first game of the day, Morningside (Iowa) defeated IU Southeast 4-0. Kelly Baumert took the win for the Mustangs in a seven-inning performance, allowing just three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. With this win, Baumert tied the Morningside record for career pitching victories with 92. A senior for the Mustangs, she finished her career at 92-30 and 22-7 this season. Kelsey Everett suffered the loss for the Grenadiers, throwing just 1 2/3 innings with three earned runs on three hits with two walks and no strikeouts.

Kylie Helmink and Alisha Wheat led the offense for Morningside. Helmink went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Wheat hit a two-RBI double on her only at-bat of the game.

This was the Mustangs' third national championship appearance, as they finished pool play at 1-2 and 40-9 on the season. The Grenadiers finished at 0-3 in the pool and 33-15 overall with the loss in their second trip to the event.