PORTLAND, Ore. – Behind
Kim Nelson's 3-for-3, two RBI performance at the plate and complete game in the circle, Saint Martin's defeated the Warriors of Corban 10-3 at the Concordia University Tournament.
With the Saints (3-2) leading 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Nelson's infield single drove in
Jackie Schmaeling.
Sabrina Hicks broke open the score with a double, scoring two runs, later in the inning. SMU added two runs in each the sixth and seventh to finish off the undefeated Warriors (9-1) 10-3.
Saint Martin's jumped on Corban early with a three run first inning that began with a
Mary Dettling single up the middle, scoring
Lindsay Miller. Next batter, Schmaeling, drove in
Lauren Diuco on a ground out to shortstop. Nelson's first RBI of the game came with two outs as she singled up the middle to drive in Dettling.
Corban quickly responded with two runs in the latter half of the first on a single and fielding error committed by the Saints.
Both teams remained in check until the Saints capitalized with runners in scoring position, Nelson singled up the middle on the first pitch she saw. The next pitch to Hicks was laced to center field for a double, clearing the bases, and extending the Saints' lead to 6-2.
After Corban brought home one run in the bottom of the fifth, SMU responded on a single from Diuco, driving in
Alyssa Slate. Schmaeling later in the inning, collected her second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to left field. Saint Martin's clinched the 10-3 victory on a double by L. Miller to right center, scoring Hicks and Nelson, in the seventh inning.
Nelson (2-1) went the length, giving up three runs, two earned, on seven hits, walking one and striking out two Warriors.
"Kim (Nelson) did a great job hitting spots and competing all seven innings against a very strong Corban team.
Sabrina Hicks had very good at-bats today, and came through in a couple of clutch situations" said head coach
Rick Noren. "Defensively,
Alyssa Slate made some outstanding plays and
Lindsay Miller had a fantastic catch at the fence".
As a team, SMU finished the game with 10 runs on 12 hits, walking once and left seven runners on-base. Nelson and Hicks led all hitters with three hits, two runs batted in and one run scored each. L. Miller finished with two hits, runs and RBIs while Diuco, Dettling,
Corrie Wilson and Slate all tallied one hit.
Up Next: The Saints finish up action at the shorten Concordia University Tournament with a match-up against NAIA opponent University of British Columbia at 5 p.m. later today. Both the Saints' games Sunday have been cancelled due to predicted weather.
