May 9, 2010

Alma Box Score
Trine Box Score

ALMA, Mich. - The two days of sitting around did not seem to affect the Bulldogs at the 2010 MIAA Tournament as they got up for a 10 AM elimination contest against the host and top-seeded Scots of Alma and sent them home with a 3-0 win.

Senior Jenna Kloster did all the damage herself in the third inning as Adrian won the pre-game coin toss and decided to be the home team. Rachel Batman walked to start the inning and was out at second as Sarah Hall tried to move her over with a sacrifice bunt. Meghan Stevens singled down the left field line to move Hall to second with one out. Ashley Gniewek and Shannon McWherter were both inserted as pinch runners and all they would have to do is walk around the bases as Kloster delivered a three-run shot to left to give Adrian a 3-0 lead.

Kelly Eberhardt did the rest in the circle as she kept a potent Scots lineup off the scoreboard. She allowed just three hits in a complete game win picking up her 20th win of the season. Alma left just three runners on base as Eberhardt did not walk a batter and struck out nine.

Kloster also doubled in the contest going 2-for-3. Batman and Stevens each had a hit for the Bulldogs as they collected four hits.

In the first game of the championship series, it was one swing of the bat which doomed the Bulldogs. Lindsay Wise, the ninth hitter in the Trine lineup, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth with no outs in the 1-0 loss. It was a pitcher's duel between Andi Gasco and Eberhardt who matched up in the first game of the tournament back on Thursday. Gasco allowed just two hits and Eberhardt just three hits as Eberhardt fell to 20-8 in the circle. She walked two and struck out six in six innings. Gasco went seven innings and walked one with six strikeouts.

Adrian's best chance to score came in the second inning as Stevens singled through the right side to leadoff the inning and Gniewek pinch ran. Kloster bunted her over to second and then Gniewek advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kristin Toney hit a fly ball to right and Gniewek was doubled off at home trying to tag up.

Katie Adams had the other hit for Adrian who must now wait to see if they get an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Division III selection show is set for Monday, May 10 at noon on NCAA.com.