March 11, 2007
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Kennesaw State took an early lead, but had to hold on late as the Owls they captured the 2007 Russell Athletic Panther Spring Classic Championship with a 4-3 win over host Birmingham Southern on Sunday afternoon at the BSC Softball Park.
Kennesaw State (22-10) won the title for the second straight year with four straight victories after dropping a pair of games to South Alabama and Austin Peay to begin the tournament on Friday.
However, what looked to be an easy win was made interesting the top of the seventh inning when Birmingham Southern (7-16) put a scare into KSU's Brittany Matthews when Brooke Reed led off the inning with a double to left and scored immediately on a single by Grace Stokes.
Matthews, who relieved starter Missy Hobdy, struck out pinch hitter Danielle Honore' before walking Melissa Muehlenfeld to put the tying run on base. Blaese Schmissrauter's reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Anne Lawrence brought the Panthers to within a run on a sacrifice fly to right field and then Janet Kearns came on and got Lindsay Creighton to fouled out to Jennifer Nolan behind third base to earn the save and give the Owls the championship.
The Owls got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Kelley Cowart began the game with a double to straight away center field. After moving to third base, she scored when Nolan's grounder was bobbled by BSC third baseman Heather Fox.
In the second inning, Jamie KeKaualua reached on an infield hit back to the box and freshman Jenna Closner followed with an opposite field double for a 2-0 lead.
Birmingham Southern tied the game in the second inning as they chased starter Owls starter Hobdy. Creighton singled up the middle to leadoff the inning and Hobdy walked Fox to put runners on the first and second. After Melissa Taunton ripped a fly ball to right field, Reed lined a base hit to right, prompting head coach Scott Whitlock to put in Matthews.
The Owls left-hander got Grace stokes to pop to center field and then induced Kayla Backlund to ground to third to short force to keep the score tied.
Three sixth inning doubles put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning. Keri McKee led off with a double to right field and Nolan followed with a two-bagger to center field for a two-run lead. Klair Wells added to the cause with a double to left center field, chasing Panthers starter Bethney Reynoldson.
A pair of infielders were named to the all-tournament as McKee was the selection at first base and Hollie Huffman was the pick at shortstop.
