May 18, 2007

Saint Gregory's  University rallies for two runs in bottom of seventh to defeat William Penn University 2-1 in 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. -  Laurel Bartholomew's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh gave Saint Gregory's University a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over William Penn University in pool-play action at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship Friday (May 18) afternoon at Wilson Morgan Park.

The 10^th-ranked Cavaliers improved to 35-11 overall and 1-0 in Pool D while the Statesman fell to 45-12 and 0-1. Saint Gregory's will next play Tiffin University in a 6 p.m. contest later today while William Penn will host Bellevue University at 8:30 p.m.

All of the scoring came in the final inning.

William Penn took a 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh without the benefit of a hit against pitcher Sharon Bell (35-10), who struck out 10. After Bell retired the first two batters, the Statesmen started the rally as Whitney Godwin reached on a fielding error. She moved to second on a stolen base and would score when catcher's Brittany Richardson's throw went into the outfield.

St. Gregory tied the game at 1 off William Penn hurler Meghan Oden (29-8) in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles by Nicole Tindall and Jessica Reed. After Reed was lifted for pinch runner Brandi Waite, Bartholomew connected on 3-2 offering for the game-winning hit to left.

Ashley Brant had two hits for William Penn while Tindall has two for Saint Gregory's.