COLUMBUS, Ga. – [BRACKET | SCHEDULE] Midland (Neb.) recorded the first upset in an elimination game and Marian (Ind.) closed the night out in dramatic fashion with their own as day two of the 2023 NAIA Softball World Series came to a close. Georgia Gwinnett survived their first elimination game in the first contest of the day while Oregon Tech held serve as the top seed to take down Central Methodist (Mo.) in the winner’s bracket.

GAME NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS

No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett def. No. 9 Baker (Kan.), 6-2

• Bayley Shuman kicked-off the scoring in the top of the third for Baker with a bunt single, which allowed Morgan Loggins to score on a throwing error to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
• Georgia Gwinnett plated two in the bottom of the third on a bases loaded walk and a hit batsman with the bases loaded to make it 2-1 in favor of the Grizzlies.
• Georgia Gwinnett tacked-on four more in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good.
• Lindzie Owen recorded the lone base hit in the game for the Grizzlies.
• Kailyn Berry picked-up the win. The sophomore allowed two runs on five hits for Georgia Gwinnett.
• Kira Baker and Skylar Gorrell combined for six innings and allowed just one hit in the contest.
• Baker recorded five strikeouts in her outing.

No. 10 Midland (Neb.) def. No. 6 Science & Arts (Okla.), 3-2 (11in)

• The game went scoreless into extra innings as Aliyah Rincon led the way for Midland. The Warriors’ hurler recorded 11 strikeouts through seven innings.
• Rincon worked out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the bottom of the fifth, thanks in large part to two key strikeouts.
• Roni Foote took matters into her own hands in the top of the 11^th. The junior put three on the board with one swing to put the Warriors up 3-0.
• Science & Arts plated a pair in the bottom half, but was unable to complete the comeback.
• For Midland, Amanda Schmaderer led the way with a pair of hits.
• Jaclyn Gray and Sierra Selfridge both recorded two hits for Science & Arts.
• Sophie Williams was spectacular through the game for the Drovers. The sophomore fanned seven batters and did not allow a single walk.
• Both starters went the distance and combined for 265 pitches thrown.

No. 1 Oregon Tech def. No. 8 Central Methodist (Mo.), 4-1

• Oregon Tech struck first and dropped a three spot on the board in the bottom of the second.
• After a throwing error allowed Lexi Klum to come home, Nita Cook doubled to bring home two more to give the Owls a 3-0 lead.
• Central Methodist responded with a Joley Crider sacrifice fly to left to cut the Eagles’ deficit to 3-1.
• Oregon Tech tacked one more on in the bottom half of the third and held on for a 4-1 win.
• Kacie Schmidt earned her 27^th win of the season in her complete game for the Owls. The sophomore allowed just five hits with one walk and had two strikeouts to her credit.
• Hayley Cotter was on the wrong end of the decision and allowed four hits and four runs, none of which were earned.
• With the win, the Owls have set a new program record with their 51^st win.

No. 7 Marian (Ind.) def. No. 2 Our Lady of the Lake (Texas), 6-3

• Marian struck first in the top of the fourth. Abby Madere tripled to lead things off and Hayley Greene drove her in to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
• Our Lady of the Lake responded in the bottom of the fifth. Alyssa Flores recorded a pinch-hit single to score Arianna Alejandro to tie the game at one. Kristee Salas followed with an RBI single to put the Saints on top, 2-1.
• In the top of the sixth, Marian took control. After a Grace Meyer RBI single to left, Savannah Baker hit a grand slam to break the game wide open and give the Knights a 6-2 lead.
• This was the first upset of the 2023 NAIA Softball World Series in the winner’s bracket. Earlier in the day, Midland (Neb.) upset Science & Arts (Okla.) in the loser’s bracket.

COVERAGE

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