Box Score COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Fire downed the Marian University Knights this afternoon, 8-5 to go 1-0 in the opening round of the NAIA Softball National Championships.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth Sam Gale sent a lead off bomb to center for the crucial two run cushion. Then with bases loaded and no outs, Bri Girardin bunted for an RBI single. Weaver followed with a fielder's choice RBI then LaCasse hit a two run single to make it 7-1. An RBI by Anna Martin concluded the Fire's scoring on the day.
Lightning postponed a 0-0 game in the bottom of the first, but Mother Nature gave the go ahead after about an hour with two Fire runners on and two outs. Three pitches later, the Fire took a 1-0 lead on a Sam Gale infield single.
The Knights knotted it at one in the top of the second on a one out RBI single then managed a 1-2-3 bottom to keep it even.
Brittany LaCasse single handedly put the Fire on top for good in the bottom of the third with a one out, solo shot over the right field fence to go up 2-1.
The fifth inning was scoreless but only after the Fire defense worked its way out of a one out, bases loaded jam in the top.
The Knights threatened a comeback in the top of the seventh with four runs on four hits, but their efforts fell short with a fly out to center for the final out of the game.
Gale was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI's while LaCasse was 3-for-4 with a bomb of her own and three RBI's.
Susan Hinks tossed a complete game giving up five earned runs on 12 hits and four walks.
The Fire await their next opponent as Lindsey Wilson and St. Francis face off this evening. They will play the winner tomorrow at 1 p.m. CST, 2 p.m. EST.
