DECATUR, Ala. - California Baptist and Midland Lutheran chalked up wins in Pool A action at the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship Saturday at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.
Holy Names held a 3-0 advantage through two innings on the defending national champs before California Baptist's bats unleashed for 12 runs in the bottom of the third en route to a 13-5 win. The Lancers move to 2-0 in the pool and 60-2 overall, while the Hawks drop to 0-2 and 27-22.
The Hawks opened with back-to-back walks by Tayrn Thomas and Allison Snider and were brought around by Rachael Martinez's double to right-center field for the 2-0 lead in the first inning. Laurel Clough singled up the middle to bring in Thomas, who was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk, in the top of the second frame to go up 3-0.
That lead wouldn't last long. In the bottom half of the third inning, California Baptist sent 14 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs on 11 hits. Sarah Strong, Ashely Boyd and Brianna Corral each homered during the attack. Corral knocked out a three-run shot, Corral sent out a two-run homer and Boyd's longball was a solo. Corral again sent a pitch sailing in the bottom of the fifth frame to give the Lancers four homers in the game and ownership of the Championship's single-game home run record. Oklahoma City previously held the mark with three against Mobile (Ala.) in 1997.
Sophomore Emma Holden (19-0) picked up the win, giving up just one hit and striking out eight. Nicole Guttormsen recorded the loss for Holy Names, giving up six earned runs on five hits.
Pool A action will conclude Monday with Holy Names and Midland Lutheran squaring off at 11:30 a.m.