Top Ranked Lancers Power Past Lady Cavs in First Pool Play Game

May 18, 2007
Boxscore

Decatur, AL – Nikki Lowe belted two home runs to power top ranked California Baptist past UVA-Wise, 10-1, in the opening game of pool play at the NAIA softball national championships on Friday morning.

The Lady Cavaliers (32-24) plated its lone run in the home fifth when Hannah Ellis (Keokee, VA) singled home Mary Wilson ( Va. Beach, VA), who doubled. Shelley Newton (Chesapeake, VA) paced the UVA-Wise hitters with a double, a single and drew a walk. Amber Quillen (Kingsport, TN), Britney Lawson (Duffield, VA) and Tori Flint (Charlottesville, VA) added the other hits.

UVA-Wise will not get a break on its tough first day. The squad will face defending NAIA champion University of Mobile (AL) in a 5:30 p.m. eastern contest.

After three scoreless innings, Lowe led off the top of the fourth with a homer to left field. Cal Baptist (53-3) lined two more hits in a row who would come around to score for a 3-0 score. In the fifth, Chantal Millard connected for a solo home run for a 4-0 score.

UVA-Wise plated its lone run in the home fifth for a 4-1 game. After the rbi single by Ellis, the offense could not take advantage of singles by Lawson and Newton. On Newton’s single, Ellis came home from second only to be thrown out by the Lancers’ centerfielder in what would be the best inning to score multiple tallies.

Cal Baptist rode the momentum of the out at home to a second trio of runs in the sixth. Following a walk and infield single, designated player Erin Moore hit the team’s third homer, a three-run shot, to make it 7-1. Lowe put the Lancers into double digits with her second round-tripper, a three-run variety, for what would be the 10-1 final score.