May 19, 2011

Box Score

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Friends (34-13) capitalized on some mistakes to take a 4-3, eight-inning victory against MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (38-11) in pool-play action on day one of the NAIA Softball National Championship. The event is being held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Friends' Cheyenne Stewart followed an Amanda Jimenez base hit with a single in the top of the eighth inning. Three batters later, Stewart scored on an error for the winning run.

The game saw early scoring as Friends plated two runs in the top of the first, while MidAmerica Nazarene followed with a lone run in the bottom half of the frame. The Pioneers tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. Both clubs traded runs in the fourth inning as the score remained tied at 3-3 heading into the eighth.

Friends' pitcher Cara Russell went the distance recording four strikeouts and allowing three runs on seven hits. She improved to 15-7 on the year. The loss went to Jessica Hull. She tossed 3.0 innings of relief, giving up one unearned run on four hits.

Danielle Dorosh led the Falcons with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. She drove in two runs on her first-inning single to right-field.

Two Pioneers posted two hits apiece and Jen Costa connected for a home run in the first inning. That blast was her NAIA-leading 28^th on the year.

On Friday, Friends will take on California Baptist at 10:30 a.m. CDT and MidAmerica Nazarene battles SUNY Canton (N.Y.) at 3:30 p.m.

For the complete schedule, click here.