Lady Rams Can't Score; Fall In Title Game
(Live Stats)

DECATUR, Ala—The University of Mobile softball team just couldn’t find enough offense on the final day of the 2008 NAIA Softball National Championships, and fell 2-1 in the title bout to Lubbock Christian.

Kelly Griego, who tossed 5.2 scoreless innings of relief versus the Lady Rams in the opener Wednesday, got the start in the final game and dominated again. Griego picked up the victory by limiting Mobile to only 4 hits and 1 run through 5.2. Marissa Gonzalez worked the final 1.1 for the save.

Lubbock got its offense started early to knock out Mobile starter Nikki Madden and take a 2-0 lead, and that’s all the runs they would need. Daniela Garcia produced a pinch-hit RBI single and Raquel Hawkins provided a RBI groundout in the inning.

Ginger Reeser came on in relief for the Lady Rams and pitched 5.2 4-hit innings, but could not get the run support needed for the win. Madden was tagged with the loss after working 1.1 innings and surrendering the 2 runs.

Mobile got its bats going late, with 6 base runners of the final two innings, but could not get the big hit needed to take the lead. Kelyn Mendoza produced the lone run with a 2-out RBI double in the 6th, and the next batter walked, but Gonzalez entered the game to record the crucial out.

In the 7th, Mobile got a leadoff walk and a 2-out walk, but could not score. Anadys Suarez and Kelyn Mendoza finished with two hits apiece for the Lady Rams, while Jade Espinoza finished 2-for-3 for Lubbock.

Lubbock Forces Winner-Take-All Championship Game

DECATUR, Ala— Lubbock Christian used the bat of Ginalee Davis to force the University of Mobile into a winner-take-all championship game at the 2008 NAIA Softball National Championships, by handing the Lady Rams their first loss in bracket play, 4-3 Wednesday afternoon.

Things started off great for the Lady Rams as they knocked Lubbock Christian starter Marissa Gonzalez out of the game with a 3-run 2nd inning as Jineth Pimentel blasted a 3-run homer to center field for an early 3-0 lead.

Mobile lefty Ginger Reeser was cruising, with one hit allowed through 3 innings, before Lubbock rallied. Raquel Hawkins produced an RBI single, and Davis followed with a 2-run bomb to right field to knot the ball game at 3-3.

While Lubbock reliever Kelly Griego cruised with 5.2 innings of scoreless relief, Davis came through big with a 2-out, solo homer in the 6th inning for the 4-3 lead.

Base hits by Pimentel, Yaicey Sojo and Abby Campbell loaded the bases with only 1 out in the top of the 7th inning for the Lady Rams, but Griego induced a 4-3 double-play ball to end the ball game.

Davis finished 2-for-3 with a pair of homers and 3 RBI for Lubbock, while Pimentel finished 2-for-3 with a 3-run homer for Mobile. Anadys Suarez added a two-hit day for Mobile (42-9).