Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Mid-America Christian University softball team played in all four games at the NCCAA Central Region Tournament on Friday afternoon at Jack Allen Field. The Lady Evangels went 2-4 in the tournament defeating Hillsdale twice (9-2 and 5-4). However, MACU could not get past Central Baptist College falling 3-0 and 5-0.
After an hour rain delay, MACU opened the tournament taking on Hillsdale. MACU struck first, scoring four unanswered runs. In the first frame Ashley Newman hit a double through the middle to score Shanci Brown and Kelcey Gabriel who both singled earlier in the inning. Gabrield made it a 4-0 game in the second inning with a two-run shot over the right field fence.
Hillsdale got on the board in the third using three hits and a MACU error to produce two runs. But MACU countered in the bottom half of the inning with four runs on five hits to lead 8-2. MACU posted their final run in the sixth.
Chelsea Downs got the win in the circle allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
With the opening win over Hillsdale, the Lady Evangels moved on to face top seeded Central Baptist College. The Lady Mustangs took an early lead, scoring two runs in the opening frame. Christen Kirchner led off the inning with a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Carly McLennan singled to plate Cassie Martin for the 2-0 advantage.
CBC plated their final run in the third inning, using three hits. Jill Wilbanks was tagged with the loss lasting two innings, giving up two runs on six hits. Caitlyn Ulmer finished the game allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts.
With the loss, MACU met Hillsdale again. This time the Lady Saints kept MACU on their toes. Hillsdale struck first adding one run in the second and one in the third to lead 2-0 going into the bottom of the third. MACU gained a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third and extended their lead to 4-2 in the next frame plating one run.
Hillsdale moved within one run with a run in the sixth but MACU added a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Saints posted one run in the seventh but MACU held them off to win 5-4, advancing to the Championship game.
Jill Wilbanks got the win in the game tossing four innings giving up two runs on four hits. Caitlyn Ulmer got the save closing out the seventh allowing one unearned run on one hit.
MACU faced CBC in the championship game, falling 5-0. Wilbanks was tagged with the loss, pitching two-thirds of an inning allowing two runs on three hits. Ulmer came in to finish the game giving up four runs, three earned on six hits with four strikeouts.
Casey Hammons tossed a one-hitter in the championship with nine strikeouts. CBC moves on to the NCCAA National Tournament with a 48-1 overall record. MACU ends their season 19-32 overall.
