COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Oregon Tech softball team stayed alive in the NAIA Opening Round after they defeated Avila University 7-2, in an elimination game Tuesday afternoon at Vanguard Field.
The Hooter will play 4th-ranked and one-seeded Marian (Indiana) at 12 Noon on Wednesday, needing to defeat the Knights twice to advance to the NAIA World Series. The Knights defeated OIT, 3-1, Tuesday morning. The World Series is scheduled for May 26 – June 1 in Clermont, Fla., at the Legends Way Ball Fields.
In the elimination game, Avila scored in the bottom of the 1
st inning to take a 1-0 lead.
OIT tied the game in the 4
th on two hits including a double by Rashaun Sells and an RBI single by Rachael Delamare.
The Owls then took the lead in the top of the 5
th with 2-runs on back to back doubles by Tara Moates and Sells making it a 3-1 game.
OIT kept adding on to the lead, with 1-run in 6
th highlighted by a pinch hit double by Sahalie Doe.
The Owls then put the game away with 3-runs in the 7
th on 5-hits to take a 7-2 lead into the bottom of the 7
th.
After the leadoff hitter for Avila reached on a Tech error to start the inning, Tech’s Loryn Williams was able to retire the rest of the Eagle hitters in order to preserve the OIT win and pick up her 3
rd save of the year.
Tech had a huge 12-3 advantage in hits over Avila led Sells 3-4 effort. Katie Virtue, and Tara Moates added to 2-hits each for the Owls in the win.
Kelly Scott started the game for OIT pitching 5-strong innings to grab the win and move to 15-5 on the year.