No. 4 seed Lady Lancers drub No. 5 seed Trinity Christian 12-3
Posted
Josh Neuhart-
ROANOKE, Va. – Grace College’s softball team made a major statement in its first national tournament game since 1997. The fourth-seeded Lady Lancers (28-28) erupted offensively in a 12-3 victory over No. 5 seed Trinity Christian to open up the NCCAA World Series Thursday at Botetourt Sports Complex. The Trolls (26-26) got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, plating three runs on three hits. Freshman Brittany Melzoni got Grace’s offense rolling to lead off the bottom of the second, blasting a solo home run to centerfield. Tiffany Featherston and Clarissa Knight also drove in runs in the inning as Grace evened the score 3-3. The Lady Lancers blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth with a nine-run explosion. Olivia Winget, Grace’s all-time leader in hits and home runs, added another career highlight with a two-run home run in the inning. Brooke Shell and Knight notched two hits each in the fourth, and Paige Petrone had a two-out, two-run double. Freshman duo Knight and Melzoni were both 3 for 3 at the plate in the win, and Knight drove in three runs. Petrone and Featherston were 2 for 2, as both players had two RBIs. Shell was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, and Samantha Johnson scored twice as well. Alex Shipley and Hannah Adams combined for the pitching win. The Lady Lancers advance in the NCCAA World Series bracket to Friday’s national quarterfinals. Grace’s game against either Shorter or Cedarville is tentatively slated for 4 p.m., dependent on field conditions.
