WORLD SERIES CENTRAL | BRACKET
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Riley Donovan directed another ball over the fence. Cayla Williams breezed through another three-hit complete game. The Southern Oregon softball team is one win away from another national championship.
A reliable template held up again Monday evening at the South Commons Softball Complex, where the No. 4-seeded Raiders continued their NAIA World Series dominance with a 9-1 thumping of No. 3 seed Cumberlands (Ky.), wrapping up their second consecutive run-rule victory in five innings.
"We're just beginning to tap into what we've known we have," SOU coach Jessica Pistole said. "We're playing freely, just enjoying these last games we get together as a team, and it's fun to see us get better and better every time out."
As the only remaining unbeaten team left in the double-elimination bracket, SOU (49-12 overall) will get two chances to win one game in Wednesday's final round for a third title in four years. Game 1 is scheduled for 2 p.m. Pacific Time and Game 2 will begin approximately 30 minutes after if necessary.
Through three outings at the tournament, the Raiders have outscored their opponents 24-2. Monday's display would have turned heads if they weren't already adjusted by Saturday's 10-0 blowout of top-seeded Oregon Tech.
Donovan ensured momentum stayed on her team's side with a three-run home run in the first inning. The no-doubt shot to right-center field was the senior catcher's NAIA-leading 22nd of the season and second in as many games.
It was also more than enough cushion for Williams, who has allowed three or fewer hits in three straight starts for the first time in her career. The senior right-hander needed only 52 pitches to discard the Patriots (49-4-1) in a tidy 1 hour 13 minutes. She struck out two, didn't issue a walk, improved to 23-5, and has now handled all 18 World Series innings for SOU with a 0.78 ERA.
"No moment is too big for her," Pistole said. "She's found that groove and just really wants to leave the game on her terms."
Second baseman Deja Acosta went 3-for-3 atop the lineup card, lining a two-run double that extended the lead to 5-0 in the second inning and another RBI double that made it 6-1 in the fourth. Run-scoring singles later in the frame from Williams – who drove in her eighth and ninth runs of the tournament – and Ashton Cathey brought the mercy rule into play.
Sarah Kerling added a hit and two runs scored. The sophomore center fielder is 6-for-7 at the tournament and working on a seven-game postseason hitting streak.
The Patriots, champions of the Mid-South Conference, rode a 24-game unbeaten streak into the matchup. Their starting pitcher, Talli Burgess, was 21-0 before recording just four outs against the Raiders. Their only offense came from Makenzie Keatts, who established a new World Series record by homering for the fourth time at the tourney in the fourth inning.
Cumberlands will play Tuesday night for a spot in the final against the winner of an earlier elimination game between Oregon Tech and No. 7 seed Marian (Ind.).
Eleven of the last 13 champions have come out of the winners' bracket. SOU was one of the exceptions, defeating Oregon Tech in back-to-back games in 2021 to cap a successful title defense. Another championship would put the Raiders alongside Oklahoma City as the only active NAIA teams with more than two.