May 19, 2007

Bethel (Ind.) College defeats Thomas (Ga.) University 7-1 at 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship

DECATUR, Ala. - Corinne Dennison drove in three runs as Bethel (Ind.) College defeated Thomas (Ga,) University 7-1 in Pool C action at the 2007 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday (May 19) afternoon at Wilson Morgan Park.

The No. 21 Pilots improved to 44-10 overall and to 1-2 in the pool while the No. 13 Night Hawks slipped to 25-19 and to 1-2. Both teams wrap up pool play later today. Thomas will face Trevecca Nazarene University at 5:30 p.m. while Bethel will face Shorter College at 8 p.m.

Bethel took a 1-0 lead in the first on a home run to left field by Britny Beneker, who went 3-for-3. Thomas evened the game at 1 on Joann Tosh's fourth-inning infield single.

Dennison, who went 2-for-3, gave Bethel the lead for in the bottom of the fourth with her bases-clearing double to right-center field. Bethel extended its lead to 6-1 with RBI hits by Brittney Fisher and Sarah Rassi, who went 2-for-3, in the fifth. Emily Kramer added an run-scoring single in the sixth for the Pilots.

Brittney Hire (25-6) scattered three hits and struck out six for the Pilots while Kylie Berryman (8-5) took the loss for the Night Hawks.