KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. –
Lexi Klum went 2-for-4 with four RBI, including a go-ahead bases-clearing double, as Oregon Tech moved one win away from their fourth-straight trip to the NAIA Softball World Series, topping No. 12-ranked Northwestern College, 10-2, in the semifinals of the Opening Round Klamath Falls Bracket at Stilwell Stadium.
The No. 1-ranked Lady Owls (49-7) will meet Saint Xavier in the bracket title game on Wednesday at 1 p.m. – as the Cougars won a pair of elimination games to reach the championship round.
"I am really proud of how these ladies continue to battle back anytime we fall behind," said OIT head coach
Greg Stewart. "It shows their heart and competitive desire. We had another great defensive outing, coupled with some big hits."
The Red Raiders (47-10) held a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third – thanks to an RBI double from Gwen Mikkelsen and a run-scoring bunt single from Kameryn Ethrington – but the hosts had the answer. OIT loaded the bases on a walk, hit-by-pitch and single – with Klum providing the big hit, lining a double off the outstretched glove of NWC left fielder Charli Bomgaars – to give the Owls the lead.
While reliever
Kacie Schmidt retired 9-of-10 batters to close the game, the Tech offense broke the game wide open.
Zoe Allen lined an RBI single in the fourth to extend the margin to 5-2, with
Kaila Mick following with a long 2-run homer to right. An inning later, Klum capped her day with a solo blast to left to push the lead to 8-2. The Owls walked it off in the sixth, as
Maggie Buckholz doubled home a run and
Jayce Seavert lined the game-ending RBI single.
Mick and Buckholz joined Klum in the 2-hit category, while OIT limited a potent NWC offense to four hits.
In the two elimination games, SXU never trailed in their two wins – a 6-5 victory over Embry-Riddle and a 10-2 win over Northwestern.
Against ERAU (37-16), Sarah Bowen hit a seventh inning 2-run homer to give the Cougars a 6-2 lead, but a Kate Delaney RBI single pulled the Eagles within a run. Kaila Summers proved to be too much, getting a ground ball out with the tying run in scoring position to end the game.
SXU rolled to the win over NWC – pounding out 14 hits in the 6-inning victory. Both Bowen and Alexus Reese had three hits, with Alyssa Frey tossing a 3-hitter for the victory.
Tomorrow's championship game will be carried live in the Klamath Basin on 104.3 and 960 Sports.
SCORES
Day 1 - Northwestern 6, Embry-Riddle 5; Oregon Tech 4, Saint Xavier 3
Day 2 - Oregon Tech 10, Northwestern 2 (6); Saint Xavier 6, Embry-Riddle 5 (loser out); Saint Xavier 10, Northwestern 2 (6) (loser out)
Day 3 - Oregon Tech vs. Saint Xavier (championship), Wednesday, 1 p.m.
