Science & Arts (Okla.) Wins First NAIA Softball World Series Title

by | May 31, 2018 | Headlines, RRSN News | 0 comments

Science & Arts (Okla.) Wins First Softball World Series Title

Three-run fourth inning propels Drovers to red banner

 Story by Donnie Smith

CLERMONT, Fla. – (Box Score) Science & Arts (Okla.) used a four-run third inning to defeat Columbia (Mo.) 4-1 for its first NAIA Softball World Series Championship. The 38th annual event is hosted by PFX Athletics for the second-straight year.

 

Key Turning Point of the Game:

  • In the bottom of the third, Science & Arts scored four unearned runs with two outs, highlighted by Shania Beck’s ninth home run of the season; a three-run shot to left.

 

Clutch Performer

  • Emily Cerny was named Softball World Series Most Valuable Player, throwing a complete game and giving up just one run on five hits with four strikeouts. At the plate, she was 2-for-2.
  • Beck finished the day 2-for-2 with a run, three RBIs, and a walk.
  • Rachel Sullivan led the way for Columbia with a 3-for-4 effort and an RBI.

 

Game Notes:

  • This is the second NAIA National Championship for Science & Arts, which was the Division I Men’s Basketball champion in 2002.
  • The Drovers were making their fourth appearance in the World Series, and first since 2006.
  • Cerny pitched all 30 innings this week, holding opponents to a .193 batting average against, and struck out 27 hitters, and posted a 1.17 ERA. She also led the team in hitting, going 4-for-8 (.500) with two runs scored.
  • After the Cougars scored in the top of the second, Cerny allowed just three base runners between the third and seventh innings.
  • Columbia (Mo.) struck first with an RBI single by Sullivan, scoring Natalie Dummitt, who tripled with one out.
  • Sullivan was the top hitter for the week, posting a .409 average with nine hits.
  • Molly Carter took the loss, despite not allowing an earned run in 2.2 innings of work. Carter homered twice during the week.
  • This was Columbia’s 17th appearance in the World Series, and first placing.
  • This marks the 11th Softball World Series title for the State of Oklahoma, which is the most.
  • Both teams were making their first Softball World Series Championship Game appearance, bringing the total number of teams to play in a championship game to 38.

 

Quoteables:

USAO Coach Jaydn Wallis on the program’s first championship:

“We’ve preached win every pitch of every inning all year long and they did that. Going into postseason, I didn’t think we had peaked yet. I think that’s what it takes to have a national championship team is to peak at the right time. My hitters came through when we needed it and our seniors got the job done.”

 

On Tournament MVP Emily Cerny:

“She’s a true competitor. I compare her to a bulldog because she never stops, and that’s what makes her so great.”

 

On the four-run third inning:

“We needed the momentum. Columbia is a great ball team and focuses on momentum and thrive off it and I knew we had to do that as well.”

 

2018 NAIA Softball World Series All-Tournament Team:

  • Baleigh Loux, Oklahoma City
  • Jaci Smith, Oklahoma City
  • Harlee Donovan, Southern Oregon
  • Kelsey Randall, Southern Oregon
  • Sydney Willhite, Georgia Gwinnett
  • Niki Cook, Georgia Gwinnett
  • Sadie Baugh, Marian (Ind.)
  • Kassidy Cadle, Marian (Ind.)
  • Kelsey Kooistra, Indiana Wesleyan
  • Caitlyn Carter, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)
  • Alexandra Linck, Columbia (Mo.)
  • Shanie Beck, Science & Arts (Okla.)
  • Lexi Dickerson, Columbia (Mo.)
  • Randa Hatter, Science & Arts (Okla.)
  • Molly Carter, Columbia (Mo.)
  • Chloe Clifton, Science & Arts (Okla.)
  • MVP- Emily Cerny, Science & Arts (Okla.)

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