In a rematch of last year's National Championship, reigning USCAA Softball National Champion Lindenwood University-Belleville defeated #3 Ave Maria University by a score of 3-2. The Lady Lynx won their second game of the day behind a strong pitching performance from Michelle Pilster and Taylor Winn in relief, who limited Ave Maria to only three hits in the game.
Lindenwood University-Belleville did their damage in the third inning. First Team All-American Kaylin Stewart reached on an error to start the frame. Stewart advanced all the way to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Nicolle Miskowicz, before scoring on a suicide squeeze from fellow All-American Jamie Navarro. Navarro would then come around to score on an RBI double from Mikayla Conlin. The next batter, Pilster, hit a fly ball to left field that was dropped. The error allowed Conlin to come around and score to give the Lynx a 3-0 lead.
Ave Maria would fight back in the fifth. Jessenia Gonzalez led off the inning with a single. After a groundout advanced Gonzalez to second, Amber Presto walked and Kingsley Avery singled to load the bases. However, after pinch hitter Erika Avery struck out, Cheyenne Benson swung and missed at strike three. The ball got away from the catcher and two runs would score on a wild throw to first base. Avery was then thrown out at home plate and the Lady Gyrenes were unable to capitalize any further.
For the Lady Lynx, Pilster tossed 4.1 innings, giving up two runs (both unearned). Game one starter Taylor Winn pitched 2.2 innings of relief, striking out five. Ave Maria pitcher Emily Lemin went the distance for the Lady Gyrenes, giving up 3 runs (two earned) and striking out 4.
Lindenwood University-Belleville will advance to the winner's bracket final where they will play either #1 St. Mary of the Woods College or # 5 Briarcliffe College. Ave Maria University moves to the bottom half of the bracket where they will face the winner of #4 Carlow University versus #10 Penn College.
