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Allegheny Reaches NCAC Championship
May 4, 2007
GRANVILLE, Ohio – After coming up with an extra-inning win over Wittenberg University and then watching host Denison University pull out an 11-inning victory over Hiram College, the Allegheny College softball team decided to make short work of the Big Red, shutting out the top-seed 2-0 and advancing on to the finals of the 2007 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m.
Denison (28-14) will meet the winner of Friday’s final contest between Hiram College and Wittenberg University on Saturday at 11 a.m. The winner of that contest will draw Allegheny (17-16) in the championship game slated for 1 p.m.
In the regular season meeting, the Denison pitching staff dominated the Allegheny hitters, allowing just seven hits in a pair of shutouts April 21. The Gators turned the table on the Big Red, however, as freshman Alicia Morley (Sinclairville, N.Y./Cassadaga Valley) brought her team one step closer to the NCAA Division III Tournament by throwing a three-hit shutout, her second of the spring. She didn’t allow a walk in the game, struck out two batters, and faced only three Denison hitters over the minimum possible.
Allegheny jumped ahead in the first inning on Denison’s starter Bri Scrofano, who tossed a no-hitter against The College of Wooster earlier in the season. Junior Abby Bodenlos (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy) drew a lead-off walk and after advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt, easily strode home on a single by sophomore Rachel Ryan (West Salem, Ohio/Northwestern).
The Gators added another run in the third, taking advantage of a miscue by the Big Red defense. With runners on first and second, the first baseman committed an error which allowed Elizabeth Burr (Farmdale, Ohio/Badger) to reach home.
Denison had no solution in the batter’s box as Morley retired the side in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. The Allegheny first-year allowed only one batter to advance past second base, stranding the would-be run on third in the sixth inning. Erin Porter led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, but Morley squashed the rally with two fly outs and a pop out to the catcher.
After reaching base twice in the opener and scoring twice, Burr banged out a pair of hits against Denison, while Bodenlos reached base three times, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk.
Scrofano (7-6) allowed six hits and four walks, while striking out three in seven innings of work.
For a full schedule and up-to-date information on the 2007 NCAC Tournament, please visit the official website by clicking HERE