Alma Stays Alive at NCAA World Series With 1-0 Win Against Williams
Box Score
Julie Lee tagged out at home.
Amy Gaudard trying to beat the throw.
Behind staff ace Leigh Ann LaFave (Bark River/Escanaba), the Scots allowed just two hits - one in the first and another in the third - and did not allow a runner past first base. LaFave struck out nine batters in her seven innings of work.
Alma registered just four hits on the day - one each from Megan Knochel (Pinconning), Shannon Harrington (Dewitt/St. Johns), Emily Blahnik (Corunna) and Anne Westerman (Gaylord/St. Mary's) - all coming in the second and third innings.
Amy Gaudard (Mt. Pleasant) went down swinging to lead off the second inning for her first out in World Series play. Megan Colligan (Northville/Novi) gave the Scots a baserunner with a walk, as head coach Denny Griffin brough in Julie Lee (Fruitport) to run for the starting first baseman. Harrington singled into right field, moving Lee to second. Blahnik stepped in with another single, advancing all runners as Julie Lee was out at the plate with a throw from the right fielder to the catcher. With two outs, Westerman nailed an RBI single to plate Harrington and give the Scots the only run it would take to win the game and advance in World Series play.
In NCAA Championship competition, the Scots lost back-to-back games last season to go home after the second day of play. In 2000, Alma opened NCAA World Series play with a 4-0 loss to Roanoke (Va.), but came back through the consolation bracket to finish third.
The Scots will play the winner of today's 3 p.m. game between Muskingum and William Patterson. That game is set for Sunday (May 22) at 2:30 p.m.
Posted: Sat, May 21st, 2005 at 3:08PM
