Story by Chad Waller, Director of Communications & Sports Information
Pictures courtesy of Rick Dominowski, Click HERE to order

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – (Box Score) No. 1 Oklahoma City showcased its top offense with 14 hits in the 7-1 victory over No. 9 Williams Baptist (Ark.) today in the elimination bracket at the 36th Annual NAIA Softball World Series, presented by Security National Bank and Morningside College. The Stars entered today’s contest ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in four major offensive statistical categories, including runs scored (542) and total hits (699).

Oklahoma City stays alive in the elimination bracket to face the winner of No. 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) and No. 3 St. Gregory’s (Okla.) Wednesday at 4 p.m. CDT.

Oklahoma City’s offense wakened up after plating just three runs in its last two games, which marked the lowest output of any two-game stretch this season.

The Stars notched single runs in the second and third innings thanks to a RBI-single by Kali Pugh and a run scored by Kayley Humann on a passed ball.

With the Stars leading 2-0 in the fourth inning with one out, Jaci Smith stepped up to the plate. She sent a 1-2 pitch deep over the right-field fence. She drove in Stephanie Koishor and Kali Pugh to make the score 5-0. Oklahoma City would tack on two more runs in the frame – on an RBI-double by Madison Ellis and a Laci Joyner RBI-single.

“I tried to keep my weight back. It felt really good and all the pieces were together and it just was really smooth,” said Smith on her ninth home run blast of the year.

“I think we were more relaxed today than we have been and we finally got to where we are playing our game and not all rattled,” continued Smith about the Stars offense.

Williams Baptist plated a run in the bottom of the seventh to avoid the shutout. Ashley Lyons drove in Callie Brooks to make the score 7-1.

Georgia Wall bounced back from her first loss of the year Monday as she needed just 84 pitches for the complete-game victory. In four of the frames, Wall retired the Williams Baptist batters in order.

Wall improved to 24-1 on the year as she fanned three batters and walked two

Eagle starting pitcher Rylee Rogers went 3 2/3 innings and dropped to 26-11 on the year. She allowed a six runs (five earned) – one run shy of tying a season-high – on eight hits. She walked four and struck out three.

Madison Ellis and Koishor led all hitters with three hits each. Ellis rapped two doubles and scored one run and Koishor scored once. Overall, seven starters compiled at least one hit for Oklahoma City.

Lyons and Hayley Overbay had the Eagles lone base hits.

Williams Baptist completes its third World Series trip and ends the year at 40-21.

Stretch Internet, the NAIA’s official video-streaming company of NAIA national championship events, will be broadcasting all 19 games of the 2016 NAIA Softball World Series on the NAIA Network. The All-World Series package can be purchased for $29.95 or the day package for $9.95. For more information, including how to register for an account, click here.

The double-elimination event is being played out at the Elizabeth & Irving Jensen Softball Complex. The City of Sioux City and Morningside College serve as official hosts for the second-straight time. For more information on the 2016 NAIA Softball World Series, click here.