Ashland, Ore. – Trailing 2-0 with one out in the bottom of the 7
th, sophomore pinch hitter
Yalitza Lovan (Pleasant Hill, Iowa/Dowling Catholic) sliced an RBI double to the gap in right center field to cut the deficit to 2-1. A ground out advanced freshman infielder
Danielle Goodman (Poplar Grove, Ill./North Boone), who re-entered the game, to third base, however a grounder back to the pitcher snuffed the rally resulting in a 2-1 defeat for No. 2 seed Saint Xavier University softball (36-7/16-0 CCAC) to No. 3 Hope International University (Calif.) Monday afternoon in the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Ashland Bracket hosted by Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore. The loss drops SXU into the elimination bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
- Junior infielder Kaitlyn Wright (Chicago, Ill./Marist) had a pair of hits in three at-bats with a stolen base.
- Junior outfielder Haley Matlock (Indianapolis, Ind./Southport) and sophomore catcher Natalie Johnson (Bourbonnais, Ill./Grand Valley State/Bradley-Bourbonnais) each finished 1-for-3 at the plate.
- Sophomore outfielder Aubrey Wroble (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) finished 1-for-4.
- Sophomore pitcher Lily Strand (Evergreen Park, Ill./Saint Louis/Evergreen Park) tossed her 16th complete game of the season but took the loss (16-5). She scattered six hits with two earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts.
- The Royals scored both of their runs in the top of the 2nd on an RBI fielder's choice and an RBI single down the right field line.
- Lovan collected her 12th RBI of the year and her second double, driving in senior pinch runner Julia Czart (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West).
No. 2 Saint Xavier (36-7/16-0 CCAC) takes on No. 4 Keiser University (Fla.) in the elimination bracket on Tuesday, May 13 at 1:00 pm central time in Ashland, Ore. The winner plays again later in the day at 6:00 pm central.