Day 1 Recaps from DI Softball Championship in St. George
2012 NJCAA Division I Softball Championship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2012
Contact: Tyler Roberts
tyler.roberts@sgcity.org
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD, STATS/RESULTS -- http://www.sgcity.org/recreation/njcaa
Pictures from Day 1 can be viewed on the NJCAA Facebook Page
Winner’s Bracket Game 16: #2 Seed Salt Lake Community College – 9 vs. #7 Seed Howard College - 5
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The #2 seeded Salt Lake Community College Bruins escaped its second game in the NJCAA Division I tourney with a win over the #7 seeded Howard College Hawks 9-5.
The Hawks loaded the bases with one out in the top half of the seventh inning, but Bruin reliever Ariel Zimmerman struck out the last two batters to end the game and preserve the victory. The Bruins also won the game despite stranding 12 runners in the game. Howard only stranded seven.
McCauley Flint started the game for the Bruins and went two and two thirds innings allowing five runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three. It was a troublesome third inning that knocked Flint out of the game, the inning in which the Hawks did all the damage.
For the Hawks, Jazzmin Arrant went two for four with three RBIs on a three-run homer. Claudette Smith also homered and went two for three with one RBI and a run scored.
For the Bruins offensively, they scored three runs in the first inning, four in the second and two in the sixth. They ran Hawk starter Megan Granado after one inning.
Granado allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on three hits, walked four and struck out one. Olive Naotala went the last five innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on six hits, walked three and struck out three batters.
The Bruins were led offensively by Lauren Miller who went two for four with three RBIs and a run scored and also had a homer. Savanah Webster also homered for SLCC, going two for two with two runs scored and two RBIs.
SLCC advances to play #3 Seed Blinn College Buccaneers at 1 p.m. MST in the winner’s bracket, while Howard College will drop to the loser’s bracket and play #8 Seed Seminole State College of Florida Manatees at 10 a.m. MST.
---
Winner's Bracket Game 15: #3 Seed Blinn College - 5 vs. #6 Seed Northeastern Oklahoma A&M - 2
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Blinn College Buccaneers continued its run in the winner's bracket by defeating the Northeasten Oklahoma A&M Norse 5-2. Buccaneer starter Jocelyn Tacquard delivered a gem, going seven innings allowing two runs on five hits, walking three batters and striking out five batters.
Norse starter Shelbie Wagon also pitched well but was doomed by a five run third inning in which her defense made three errors, leading to four unearned runs. Her final stat line was giving up five runs, only one of which was earned, walking one and striking out six batters.
Her replacement, Alex Gilley, was able to shut down the Buccaneers for the last three innings of the game, but it was not enough.
Leading the way for the Buccaneers was Kristina Davila, who went two for four with a run scored. For the Norse it was Alicia Eger, who hit a solo home run to plate one of the two NEO runs.
Both teams struggled mightily to get timely hits as Blinn left seven runners on base while NEO left six runners stranded.
Blinn advances to face the #2 Seed Salt Lake Community College Bruins at 1 p.m. MST while NEO will face the #12 Seed Temple College Leopards in the loser's bracket at 10 a.m. MST.
---
Winner's Bracket Game 14: #4 Seed Pima Community College - 3 vs. #5 Seed State College of Florida - 2
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) In one of the most exciting games of the night as Pima Community College came from behind to force extra innings against State College of Florida and won in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the game 3-2.
Both pitchers threw gems as the State College of Florida Manatee pitcher, Chelsea Oglevie went seven and one third innings giving up only three runs on six hits, walked only one batter, while striking out seven.
The Aztecs of Pima got a gem out of starter Yvette Alvarez who went all eight innings, giving up only two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out five batters.
Both team struggled to hit the good pitching and score runs as the Manatees left nine runners on base while the Aztecs left four.
Aztec batter Nicole Rascon delivered the key hit in extra innings delivering a triple and scoring the winning run. The Manatees squandered several opportunities to add to their lead and it ended up costing them the game.
Pima Community College advances to play #1 seed Chattanooga Tigers at 1 p.m. MST while State College of Florida plays # 14 seed Gordon College at 10 a.m. MST.
---
Winner's Bracket Game 13: #1 Seed Chattanooga State Community College - 10 vs. #8 Seed Wallace State College - 1
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The No. 2 team in the nation, the #1 seed for the tournament, Chattanooga State, made quick work of #8 seed Wallace State Lions. The Tigers won the game by run rule in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Tigers score four runs in the first inning, one in the second, three in the fourth, and two in the fifth. They chased Lion starter Heather Parker after four innings. Parker gave up eight runs on 11 hits, walking one and striking out three.
Chattanooga's starter, Ashley Czechner went the distance, giving up one run on four hits while striking out four. Beth Breeden went one for two with a home run and two RBIs while MeQuilla Franklin went two for two with a home run, one RBI, and two runs scored.
Chattanooga stays in the winner's bracket with the win and will face #4 seed Pima Community College at 1:00 p.m. MST, while Wallace State will drop down to the loser's bracket and will face the #10 seed Lake Land Lakers at 10:00 a.m. MST tomorrow morning.
---
Loser's Bracket Game 12: #10 Seed Lake Land - 10 vs. #15 Seed Western Nebraska - 1
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Lady Lakers of Lake Land College easily handle the Lady Cougars of Western Nebraska 10-1 in a loser's bracket game of the NJCAA Division I Softball National Tournament.
The Lakers scored three runs in the third, one run in both the fifth and sixth innings and five runs in the sixth inning. The Cougars were only able to muster one run in the fifth inning, getting run ruled by the Lakers.
Lake Land pitcher Tanna Hinthorne got the win going five innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking one and striking out three. Kayla Kirkpatrick came on in relief and three one inning and didn't allow a run or a hit, while striking out two.
The Cougar starter, Amanda Jones, went two thirds of the first inning before being replaced by Bianca Duran. Duran gave up eight runs on 14 hits, walked two and struck out two in receiving the loss.
Leading the Laker offensive attack was second baseman Madison Murphy who went two for three with two RBIs and a home run. She also walked once and scored twice. The only run for the Cougars was plated Danielle Hearn who went one for three.
The Lakers advance to face the loser of the Chattanooga vs. Wallace State game at 10:00 a.m. MST while the Cougars of WNCC are eliminated from the tournament.
---
Loser's Bracket Game 11: #14 Seed Gordon College - 3 vs. #11 Seed Crowder College - 2
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The lower seeded Gordon College Highlanders were able to upset the higher seeded Crowder College by a score of 3-2. Gordon scored all three of its runs in the first three innings off Crowder starter Jessica Wirzberg.
Wirzberg went all seven innings allowing only five hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. She also walked four and struck out four batters.
Gordon starter Meagan Stover was magnificant allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out six batters.
The Highlanders stranded nine runners while the Riders stranded four runners. Amanda Voyles led the way offensively for Gordon, going one for three with two RBIs.
For Crowder, they were led by center fielder Jessica Neely who went one for three with one RBI and one run scored.
Gordon advances to play the loser of State College of Florida vs. Pima Community College tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. while Crowder College is eliminated from the tournament.
---
Loser's Bracket Game 10: #12 Seed Temple College - 7 vs. #13 Seed Butler College - 2
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Temple College Leopards defeated the Butler College Grizzlies, eliminating Butler from further NJCAA Division I Championship contention, 7-2. Leopard pitcher, Emily Leib, kept the Grizzlies hitters in check going five and 1/3 innings allowing two runs, one earned, walking two and striking out seven batters.
The Leopards offensively battered the Grizzlies' starter, Mac Millspaugh, who only lasted one and 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out two.
Kelci Garza went one for two with a home run and was the offensive catalyst for Butler. Breanna Pavlas went two for four with two RBIs for Temple to lead the Leopards offensively and power them into the next round.
Temple advances to face the loser of the Blinn College vs. Northeastern Oklahoma game at 10:00 a.m. MST while Butler Community College is eliminated from the tournament.
---
Loser's Bracket Game 9: #16 Seed Aiken Technical College - 5 against #8 Seminole State College of Florida - 16.
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) In a crazy five inning game, the Raiders of Seminole State defeat the Knights of Aiken Technical College 16-5. Seminole State started off the game slow, only scoring in the second and third innings and holding a 5-1 lead after three innings. Aiken made a comeback scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to get within one run, 5-4. Then the floodgates opened. The Raiders scored 11 runs in the fifth inning and held the Knights to only one run in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game on the run rule.
Raider starting pitcher Lauren Vinson went all five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, and striking out two. Knight starting pitcher went all five inning as well allowing 16 runs, 11 earned, on eight hits, walking five and striking out three.
Offensively for the Raiders, everyone got in on the action, but one player led the way. Jessica Gipson went three for four with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Peaches Caldwell led the offense for the Lady Knights going one for three with three RBIs. The Knights only left three runners on base, but will be haunted by its eight errors in the ballgame.
Seminole State College of Florida advance to face the loser of the Salt Lake vs. Howard game at 10:00 a.m. MST tomorrow morning. Aiken Technical College is eliminated after two losses.
---
Opening Round Game 8: #2 Salt Lake Community College-20 vs. #15 Western Nebraska Community College
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Lady Bruins of Salt Lake Community College easily handled the Cougars from Western Nebraska Community College, defeating them 20-1 in the opening round matchup.
The story of the day was the Bruins' offense, scoring 20 runs in five innings of play on 18 hits, leaving only four runners on base. Tanisha Anderson led the attack going three for four with five RBIs and scoring two runs while also delivering a home run.
Cougar starer Amanda Jones was credited with the loss, only pitching 1 and 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs, nine of which were earned, on nine hits, while walking one.
While the offense was the main story for the Bruins, pitcher Ariel Zimmerman was dialed in, going the distance, allowing one run on one hit while striking out four batters.
SLCC advances to face the #7 seed Howard College at 7 p.m. MST while Western Nebraska will face #10 Lake Land College at 4:30 p.m. MST.
---
Opening Round Game 7: #7 Howard - 5 vs. #10 Lake Land - 1.
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Howard College Hawks used a late five run sixth inning to take the opening round game from the Lake Land Lady Lakers 5-1. Laker starter Tanna Hinthorne had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning when the floodgates opened. Hinthorne gave up all five runs in the sixth. She also gave up five hits and struck out two batters.
Megan Granado and Kara Isabel hit back to back home runs in the sixth to win. Granado finished the game one for three with her home run and three RBIs, while Isabel also went one for three with one RBI.
Sandra Serna, the Hawk pitcher, went all seven innings, only giving up five hits, one run, while walking four and striking out five. The Lakers had their changes against Serna, stranding nine runners, while the Hawks only stranded two.
Howard advances to play the #2 seed Salt Lake Community College at 7 p.m. MST while Lake Land will face #15 seed Western Nebraska at 4:30 MST.
---
Opening Round Game 6: #11 Crowder College - 1 against #6 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M - 6
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Norse of Northeastern Oklahoma A & M scored all six runs in the first two innings to take the game over the Riders of Crowder College 6-1.
Nicole Workman of NEO had a home run en route to a one for four day with three RBIs. Shelbie Wagon went all seven innings for the Norse giving up one unearned run while walking three and striking out six.
Crowder College's starter, Kaily Harvey went six innings and gave up six runs on eight hits. Harvey settled down after the first two innings and was able to hold NEO scoreless the rest of the game, but it was not enough.
The Riders left five baserunners on while the Norse left six on base. NEO advances to play #3 Blinn College at 7 p.m. MST while Crowder will play #14 Gordon College.
---
Opening Round Game 5: #3 Seed Blinn College - 9 vs. #14 Seed Gordon College - 0.
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) Thomasina Garza led the offensive barrage for the Blinn College Buccaneers as they defeated the Gordon College Highlanders 9-0.
Buccaneer starter Kaci Federwisch went all five innings as the game ended after five and was the backbone for the team. She allowed only four hits, no runs, walked one and struck out six.
Gordon College starter, Meagan Stove was battered for five runs in the first inning, only lasting for two outs, allowing those five runs on four hits. Whitney Parrish was able to hold the Buccaneers at bay allowing two runs in the second inning and in the fourth inning, but Federwisch shut the door on the Highlanders.
Blinn advances to play the #6 seed Northeastern Oklahoma Lady Norse at 7 p.m. MST while Gordon plays #11 seed Crowder College at 4:30 p.m. MST.
---
Opening Round Game 4: #4 Pima-7 vs. #13 Butler-3.
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) Pima Community College got a huge boost from Alejandra Ortiz, who hit a three-run homer to put the Aztecs ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. Marina Contreras pitched five and a third innings for the win, allowing three runs, two earned, walking two, while striking out five.
Butler hung in for most of the game getting a run in the fifth inning to take the lead 3-2 until Ortiz put Pima ahead for good. Mac Millspaugh gave up all seven runs on 11 hits in five and two thirds of an inning, walking one and striking out three.
The Grizzlies left three runners on in the game and the Aztecs left seven runners on base. Ortiz accounted for four of the seven Aztec runs.
Pima advances to play State College of Florida at 7 p.m. MST on field 5 while Butler will play Temple College at 4:30 MST also on field 5.
---
Opening Round Game 3: #5 State College of Florida against #12 Temple
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The State College of Florida Manatees started the NJCAA Tournament winning the opening round game against the Temple Leopards 3-0. The Manatees received a strong pitching performance behind Paige Mathews, who went the distance allowing five hits, walking four batters, while striking out nine.
The offense was sparked in the second inning when Laura Tarciano doubled and Kat Gavern singled allowing Tarciano to score on the play. Gianni Artidiello sacrificed Gavern home to put the lead at 2-0.
Leading off the third inning Angie Dascoli homered to put up the final score of a 3-0 advantage. The Leopards left a total of eight runners on base while the Manatees only left three.
Temple pitcher Emily Leib threw a strong game only allowing seven hits, walking two and striking out one.
State College of Florida advances to play Pima Community College at 7 p.m. MST while Temple will face Butler Community College at 4:30 p.m. MST.
---
Opening Round Game 2: #9 Wallace State College vs. #8 Seminole State College of Florida
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The Wallace State College Lady Lions defeated the Lady Raiders of Seminole State College of Florida 13-2 in the opening round of the NJCAA Division I Softball National Tournament. The Lions received a stellar performance from Heather Parker who went seven innings allowing three hits, two runs, walked two, and struck out eight batters.
The Seminole State Raider pitchers could not contain the Lion hitters, going through five pitchers in the game, giving up a collective 13 runs on 19 hits. Third baseman Lauren Payne for the Lions provided most of the offensive fireworks, hitting two home runs and accounting for four of the 13 RBIs for the Raiders.
The Lions scored five runs in the top of the third and that was all for Raider starter Lauren Vinson.
Wallace advances to play #1 seed Chattanooga State Community College at 7:00 p.m. MDT and Seminole State of Florida will play #16 seed Aiken Technical College.
----
Opening Round Game 1: #1 Chattanooga State Community College-7 #16 Aiken Technical College-0.
(ST. GEORGE, Utah -- May 17, 2012) The No. 1 seed Lady Tigers of Chattanooga State Community College took care of business against the Lady Knights of Aiken Technical College.
The Tigers were led by pitcher Ashley Czechner who threw three innings for the win, did not allow a run or a hit, struck out six batters and did not issue a walk. Janna Scheff came in and was just as dominant going four innings, giving up two hits, walking one and striking out two.
The Knights pitcher, Danielle Payne only lasted one and a third innings, giving up seven runs, six earned, walking two and striking out one. The Knights left three on base while the Tigers left six on bases. Allie Short for the Knights came in and shut the Tigers down for the last four and two thirds innings.
Marina Wilkerson had a home run for the Tigers, while Lacye Walker went three for four with three RBIs.
Chattanooga advances to play the #9 seed Wallace State Lions at 7 p.m. MST while Aiken State College plays Seminole State College of Florida at 4:30 p.m. MST.