KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The first game the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round has not been an easy one for Oregon Tech – but for the third-straight year, the Owls used a flair for the dramatic. Lexi Klum delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, lifting the top-seed to a 4-3 victory over Embry-Riddle at Stilwell Stadium.
Tech (44-9) advances to the first bracket semifinal, meeting second-seed Vanguard at 1 p.m. – with a spot in the title game on the line.
Two seasons ago, OIT needed eight innings to defeat Cottey College, as Klum scored on a walk-off double from Mckenzie Staub. Last season, Tech got a walk-off RBI single from Klum in the seventh to stop Saint Xavier. This year, a back-and-forth game ended in the Owls favor.
The Eagles (39-12), champions of the California Pacific Conference, took advantage of two first inning walks, an error and a hit-by-pitch, to plate an unearned run. ERAU starter Vanessa Brink handcuffed the Owls the first time through the order, retiring the first nine batters. However, OIT made adjustments the second time through the lineup.
Puakea Milbourne evened the score with one swing – a long solo homer to left – her 13th of the season, part of a 3-for-4 day. OIT would grab the lead in the fifth, as Staub walked, moved to third on an Addison Kachnik double and scored on a Marla Goodspeed sacrifice fly. An inning later, Jayce Seavert provided an insurance run with a 2-out RBI single, scoring Kaila Mick from second.
ERAU would not go away, as Tatum Chestnut singled in the seventh and Leah Salas walked with two outs. Diana Miranda Montano forced extra innings, gapping a 2-strike pitch into the left-center power alley to tie the score.
After the Eagles went scoreless in their eighth, OIT ended the game in the bottom half. Mick was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a bloop double by Milbourne. Klum closed out the win with a fly ball to center – deep enough to plate Mick with the winning run.
Kacie Schmidt had a no-decision, striking out six in seven innings, before Staub pitched the eighth – earning her 19th win of the year.
Maddie Judge and Montano had two hits for ERAU, with Claire Streeter allowing two runs in relief, striking out five, in a losing effort.
ERAU will meet St. Thomas tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in an elimination game – as STU outlasted Florida Memorial, 6-5, in tonight’s late game. Anna Toon went 3-for-4 for the Bobcats and earned the win in the circle – despite a 5-run seventh inning rally from the Conquistadors.
Game 1 – No. 4-Embry-Riddle 10, No. 5-Florida National 0
Game 2 – No. 2-Vanguard 8, No. 3-St. Thomas 5
Game 3 – No. 1-Oregon Tech 4, Embry-Riddle 3 (8 inn.)
Game 4 – St. Thomas 6, Florida National 5 (FNU eliminated)
Game 5 – Oregon Tech vs. Vanguard, 1 p.m.
Game 6 – Embry-Riddle vs. St. Thomas, 3:30 p.m. (loser out)
Game 7 – Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 6 p.m. (loser out)
Game 8 – Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7, 1 p.m. (championship)
Game 9 – If Necessary Game, 45 minutes after Game 8
