NAMPA, Idaho - Saint Martin's University plated the game-winning run in the top of the 10th inning to defeat Northwest Nazarene University in a non-conference softball game on Friday afternoon at Halle Field in Nampa.

 

Starting the 10th with the tie-break rule of placing a runner on second base, the Saints (18-30) loaded the bases on a walk and a fielding error.  Kirstin Davidson then lifted a one-out sacrifice fly to left field that scored Kristine Kaneshiro for the game winner.  Jamie Herrick (5-10) earned the win for the Saints, pitching five innings in relief of SMU starter Brandi Klemm.

 

The inning spoiled a tremendous pitching performance by NNU's Dana Shipley.  Shipley (0-21) pitched all 10 innings, scattered five hits, walked four and did not allow an earned run.  Saint Martin's took advantage of four Crusader fielding errors which would factor into all three SMU runs.

 

The Crusaders rallied in the bottom of the 10th, loading the bases with the tie-break runner, a Sarah Varady bunt single and an Amanda Phillips walk, sandwiched around a Shawna Juarez fly ball to right field, bringing senior Astin Salisbury to the plate with one out.  Salisbury hit a sharp ground ball to SMU third baseman Marlaina Irwin who then turned a third to home to first double-play to end the game.

 

"We had a great effort today," commented NNU head coach Julie Coert.  "The kids played hard and it could have gone either way and that's all you can ask for."

 

Lisa Holombo led the Saints at the plate with two hits, while Irwin joined Davidson with one RBI each.

 

Kate Free, Juarez and Varady each went two-for-five for the Crusaders, while Phillips was one-for-three with two RBI.

 

The Crusaders will wrap up the 2008 season tomorrow with a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader against the Saints at noon.

 

 

Saint Martin's 3, Northwest Nazarene 2 (Apr 25, 2008 at Nampa,Idaho)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saint Martin's...... 000 011 000 1 -  3  5  1      (18-30)
Northwest Nazarene.. 010 001 000 0 -  2 10  4      (9-41)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Saint Martin's - Klemm; Herrick(6). Northwest Nazarene - Shipley.
Win-Herrick(5-10)  Loss-Shipley(0-21)  T-5:17  A-117
Klemm faced 2 batters in the 6th.
Game: NNU50