Presbyterian Makes It to Softball Regional Final But Loses to Kennesaw State 5-1
PC defeats Armstrong Atlantic to get to championship game
May 8, 2004

Presbyterian Wins Over Armstrong Atlantic, 1-0

Kennesaw State Takes Regional Title With 5-1 Victory Over Presbyterian

Presbyterian Wins Over Armstrong Atlantic, 1-0

Kennesaw, Georgia – No. 4-seed Presbyterian made the most of their only hit as they upset No. 2-seed Armstrong Atlantic 1-0 Saturday afternoon in Game Nine of the South Atlantic Regional at the Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex.

With the score tied at 0-0 and Armstrong Atlantic’s Katya Eronina having retired the first eleven Presbyterian hitters, Amanda Teal drew a two-out walk to reach first base. Jessica Peterka then laced a double into the left centerfield gap that made it all the way to the fence. Teal raced around the bases and to score without a throw to give the Lady Blue Hose a 1-0 lead.

Presbyterian starter Brooke Norris made sure that one run lead would hold. She retired eleven of the final twelve hitters with the only runner reaching on a fielding error by second baseman Rachel Bailey. Norris allowed only two hits and three walks wile striking out three. She has not given up a run in 14 innings in the regional.

Armstrong Atlantic had only two runners reach second base as they never really threatened to score. Their base chance came in the third inning when Stacy Oliver led off with a double to left centerfield, but was stranded at second as the Lady Pirates could manage only a walk to Stacey Richardson before the third out.

Eronina (32-3) pitched well but dropped her second straight decision, striking out nine and walking one to go along with the one hit.

Presbyterian stays alive to play No. 1-seed Kennesaw State at 2:30. The Lady Blue Hose must beat the Owls twice to win the South Atlantic Regional Championship. Armstrong Atlantic is eliminated from the tournament.

Kennesaw State Takes Regional Title With 5-1 Victory Over Presbyterian

After Jennifer Hunt (2-for-3) and Lori Cassell, who was 3-for-4 on the day, singled to lead off the bottom of the third inning, McKee (2-for-4) sliced a double that landed just inside the left field line, easily scoring Hunt and Cassell to give the Owls a 2-0 lead.

Presbyterian answered with a lone run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the lead in half. Jamie Vining (1-for-4) was credited with a double when she hit a pop up behind the bag at first base that Owls second baseman Lori Cassell lost in the sun. After two fly outs, pinch hitter Whitney Hannon (1-for-1) looped a RBI single to right field, scoring Vining from third base.

However, the Owls opened the game up with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Megan Gant (2-for-3) led off with a double to left centerfield and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Janna Maughon (0-for-2). Hunt laid down a bunt single to put runners on first and third base with no outs. After Hunt stole second, Cassell ripped a single up the middle to score both runners and make the score 5-1.

Macki (22-1), who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, recorded her third win and third complete game of the regional. The senior southpaw from Lolo, Montana allowed only one run on five hits.

Samantha Slater (15-5) took up the loss, giving up seven hits and four runs in 3.1 innings.

Kennesaw State will be going to the National Championship Tournament for the first time since the 2002 season and the eighth time in school history.