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Late Homer Sinks Drovers

DECATUR, Ala. – Kelly Golden should have never even been up to bat.

But the Lee University shortstop made the Drovers pay for a seventh-inning error by blasting a two-run homer to extend the game into extra innings where Lee would eventually knock off the University of Science and Arts 6-4 in Game One of the 2006 NAIA National Softball Tournament in Decatur, Ala.

USAO let one get away after starting its third consecutive national tournament the way it wanted. Senior Courtney Foley scored in the first inning, and the Drovers held a 1-0 lead for most of the game until the fifth inning when an error on a deep fly ball allowed two unearned runs for Lee.

The Drovers rallied in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead after Hope Foley, Nikki Aguilar and Courtney Foley scored.

USAO remained in the driver’s seat but failed to close out the seventh-ranked team in the country.

Lee’s Danielle Everett popped up to pitcher Kindra Gregory for the first out. Next up Jill Webb reached on an error for what should have been the second out. On the next at bat Webb was thrown out on a fielder’s choice by Maranda Mounce, and Golden went yard with the next at bat.

In the top of the eighth, Lee scored the go-ahead run on a blooper to right field. Lauren Hilliard, who drove in Jenni Pendergraft to give Lee the lead, scored the insurance run two batters later on a wild pitch.

Gregory pitched all eight innings for USAO giving up only one earned run on nine hits with four strikeouts. Lee went through three pithers with starter Charli Duff leaving due to injury after striking out the first Drover batter faced. Alyssa Ashley earned the win for Lee after pitching three scoreless innings to end the game.

USAO must regroup for Game Two at 7:30 p.m. against No. 13 Tiffin, Ohio. The top two teams from each pool advance to tournament play on Monday.

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NOTES

Three of USAO’s 10 players were honored in Thursday’s opening ceremonies as 2006 Daktronics-NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. Senior Courtney Foley was honored for the second year in a row. Senior right fielder Jessica Darling and junior shortstop Morgan Thompson were also honored.