UHV Athletic News
Softball - Fri, May 15, 2009

Decatur, Ala- The UHV Jaguars earned their first win at the 29th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship this afternoon, beating Savannah College of Art and Design Bees 3-1.

Lauren Garza (17-4) struck out six and allowed just four hits in picking up the complete game win.
 
The Jags scored in the top of the second to take an early lead when Cirby Ryan reached on an error, advanced to second on a passed ball, was singled to third by Lindsey Ferguson and reached home when Bees starter Lisa Williams' (13-11) wild pitch bounced to the back stop.
 
The Bees escaped what could have been a bigger inning for the Jags.  With the bases loaded, and already trailing by one, Amber Scott lined out to third and Lindsey Ferguson was forced out at third when she took off for home on the hit ball.  The double play ended the inning and the threat.
 
The Bees answered with a run in the third, but watched as the Jags scored two in the fourth to take the lead for good.
 
The seventh inning had some excitement.  Shortstop Stephanie Lavey made a great over the shoulder running catch in shallow left field to rob the Bees Jackie Rooney of a lead off single. Garza then struck out Britney Helmers and threw out Amanda Kressler, when she tried to bunt her way on, to end the game.
 
The Jags record in Pool G is now even at a win and a loss.  SCAD has lost both their Pool games.
 
Earlier today in Pool G play, St. Gregory's defeated St. Xavier 2-1.
 
The Jags final pool game is tomorrow morning against St. Gregory's at 9:30.
 
For the Jags to move on to the eight team double elimination bracket beginning Monday, The Jags must beat St. Gregory's tomorrow and then have SCAD defeat St. Xavier tomorrow afternoon.
 
Only the winners of each of the eight pools advance to the final bracket.
 
Pool G Standings
Team                     W    L     PF    PA
St. Gregory's         2     0      7       2
St. Xavier               1     1      5       2  
UHV                       1     1      3       5
SCAD                    0     2      2       8