Susannah Pugh's RBI double in the top of the eighth inning scored Madelyn Poe for the game's only run as Williams Baptist (39-20) avoided elimination in the NAIA World Series with a 1-0 victory over Simpson (Calif.) on Saturday at the Jensen Softball Complex in Sioux City, Iowa.
Poe singled to left field with two outs in the eighth to set the stage for Pugh, who said she took advantage of a situation she couldn't capitalize on earlier in the game.
"I had been in the situation with Madelyn on and I felt like I didn't get the job done," Pugh said. "Their pitcher is really good. She threw me inside the whole game, so I just hit it where it was pitched."
Simpson left-hander Carlye Avey came into the game with a 21-0 record before taking the loss but was still solid, giving up just 5 hits with 8 strikeouts in 8 innings. WBU's Rylee Rogers was also up to the task, allowing 2 hits with 2 strikeouts and working around 5 walks on 98 pitches.
"Rylee has been our go-to all year," Coach Laura Tucker said. "She overcame some adversity, kept battling and got the shutout."
Both pitchers worked quick first innings, but the Red Hawks threatened in the bottom of the second. A leadoff single by Kara Wall and two walks loaded the bases with two outs, but Poe made a diving catch in left field for the third out that kept the game scoreless.
"It was all in-the-moment plays today," Poe said. "Out defense has been strong. I know that our teammates will be there for me no matter what."
Williams Baptist got more help from its defense in the bottom of the sixth. Simpson's Bailey Akins led the inning off with a single, then attempted to reach third on a sacrifice bunt. Brooke Mason fielded the bunt and threw to Jordyn Barkowsky at first for the first out. As Akins was rounding second, Barkowsky threw the ball to Poe, who ran from left field to third base to tag out Akins and complete the double play.
Williams Baptist advances to play at 10 a.m. Monday against Webber International (Calif.). Simpson (43-7) was eliminated with the loss.
"It was definitely a battle to the end," Tucker said. "It was exciting for us to get that one key hit. It was a great game. Simpson has a great team that fought all the way to the end."
Sports on 05/29/2016