May 25, 2010

DECATUR, Ala. - California Baptist (62-3) defeated Bethel (Ind.) 3-1 in a must-win game to stay alive at the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Tuesday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. The Lancers will move on in the losers bracket to face Shorter Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. CDT.

Bethel's fourth consecutive national championship appearance ends with a 3-2 record in the event and are now 9-7 all-time. The Pilots' season ends with a mark of 48-9.

Emma Holden took the win for California Baptist to remain undefeated on the season. With a spotless record of 21-0 from the circle, the sophomore hurler gave up just one earned run on six hits with no walks and six fanned batters in seven innings of work. Senior Kelli Zache (22-5) took the loss for Bethel, tossing seven frames and allowing three earned runs on eight hits. She issued one walk and four strikeouts.

The defending national champions jumped out front early with a solo home run to center field from Briana Corral in the top of the first inning. Still holding the 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Nina Cabrales took two bases on a double to left-center field. Two batters later, Sarah Strong knocked a two-out single to right-center field to score Cabrales and give the a Lancers a 2-0 lead.

Bethel was able to get a little offense going in the bottom of the third and grabbed one run back. With one out, Emily Lamkin singled to left and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt effort from Tara Blair. Holly Weaver hit a two-out single to left to bring Lamkin home and cut the Lancers' lead to one after three.

Both teams went scoreless through the next three frames, until California Baptist grabbed a security run in the top of the seventh with a two-out solo shot to left from Kendall Gorham to put the Lancers up 3-1.

The Pilots' Sarah Rassi singled to right with one down in the bottom half of the inning, but it wouldn't be enough as she was followed by a groundout and then a strikeout to end the game.