LHU Softball Opens NCAA Tournament with Extra-Inning Walk-Off Win
LOCK HAVEN –
After an hour and a half weather delay, the Lock Haven University softball team (37-12) opened the 2018 NCAA Division II Tournament in thrilling fashion as the Bald Eagles scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the ninth inning and downed Shepherd University (33-19) 1-0 in Atlantic 1 Regional action
With the win, Lock Haven advances in the winner’s bracket and will meet the Atlantic Region’s top seed in West Chester. LHU and West Chester will play tomorrow (Friday, May 11) at 11 a.m. West Chester defeated Chowan 8-0 (5 inn.) in the day’s opening game. Chowan and Shepherd will play at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Traci Kromko (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) was the hero as she drove in the only run of the tightly contested game in extra innings.
Originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today, the game was delayed until 5:10 p.m. because of lightning, but it was worth the wait as the fans were treated to a tremendous display of softball at Lock Haven’s Lawrence Field.
LHU ace Bekah Slattery (Douglasville, Pa./Daniel Boone) struck out six over nine innings and Shepherd pitcher Lori Sturgill allowed just three hits as the two locked up an NCAA-tournament pitching duel.
The Bald Eagles three hits in the game came from three different players as Sturgill kept LHU off balance at the plate. One offensive highlight was Moriah Lindsey (Woolrich, Pa./Central Mountain) who drew three walks. She also made a fantastic diving catch in the top of the seventh.
After Slattery and the Bald Eagles defense recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth, Lock Haven went to work and provided some extra-inning fireworks thanks to small ball and Kromko.
Bree Hilty (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Pinch-running for Hilty, Olivia Hall (Hustontown, Pa./Forbes Road) reached second after Amanda Loar (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) laid down a bunt. Madison Mathes (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) provided another solid sacrifice bunt that pushed Loar to second and moved Hall to third, and gave Lock Haven a pair of runners in scoring position.
Kromko took care of the rest and drilled ball into the infield, and the play at the plate was too slow, as Hall scored and gave Lock Haven the walk-off win.
Hilty, Loar and Faith Ceely (Troy, Pa./Troy) all had a hit in the game.
Slattery scattered five hits and allowed four walks in the winning effort.
Lock Haven finished the regular season 14-0 at home and today’s win on Lawrence Field helped the Bald Eagles remain perfect at home on the season (15-0).
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