HATTIESBURG, Miss — Hits and runs were few and far between in Monday’s first game of the NAIA Softball Opening Round’s Hattiesburg Bracket.
Lindsie Scholwinski’s complete game shutout gave No. 3 seed Southeastern a 1-0 victory over #2 seed Southern Oregon.
The senior dazzled in the circle, striking out seven, walking none, and allowing five hits to the 25 batters she faced. Scholwinski coaxed six groundouts and one fly out.
“Lindsie was on today,” said SEU coach Anna Welsh. “She hit about 98% of her spots with a change-up that was effective in just about any situation.”
Southeastern (42-15) got its lone run in the top of the first on an RBI single to left by freshman Kiah Ferrell, scoring Taylor Stoltz.
Stoltz was the top hitter, going 2-for-2 in addition to her first inning walk and run scored.
“Taylor’s approach at the plate is so good,” said Welsh. “We have a kid who can handle any count, any situation, and any pitcher.”
The Raiders got just one baserunner to second the entire afternoon, doing so with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, but a strikeout by Scholwinski ended the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, SOU threatened again with a one out single, but back-to-back fielder’s choice groundouts ended the contest.
The Fire are now 3-0 all-time in their first game in the opening round in three appearances.
“I think the team knows the level of competition and the fight is a lot higher when you know your season could be over,” said Welsh.
With the win, the Fire will now take on either top-seed William Carey or No. 4 seed Indiana University Southeast Tuesday at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
