May 18, 2007

Oklahoma City University shuts out Vanguard University 7-0 in 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. - Oklahoma City University recorded the first shutout of the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship as the Stars blanked the Lions 7-0 in pool-play action Friday (May 18) afternoon at Wilson Morgan Park.

The second-ranked Stars improved to 43-13 overall and to 1-0 in Pool B while the Lions fell to 40-14 and 0-1. Oklahoma City returns to the diamond at 5 p.m. today to face Columbia (Mo.) College while Vanguard will entertain Lee at 7:30 p.m.

Dasha Shembereva (26-5) shut down the Vanguard offense, which entered the tournament hitting .319 as a team. Shembereva surrendered just three singles to the Lions while striking out eight.

Oklahoma City scored three times in the top of the first off Vanguard starter Jennifer Olvera. Cat Calvert drove in the first run on a bunt single before Brittani Ellis stroked a two-run homer over the fence in left field.

After the Stars added two unearned runs in the second, OCU made the score 6-0 an inning later on Amanda Howard's single to right-center field. Erin Slettvet, who went 2-for-4, accounted for the final run on her solo home run to center in the fifth.