FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2007

2007 NCAA Div. III Softball Tournament
National Championship Round Score Report

James I. Moyer Sports Complex         Salem, Virginia

GAME SIX

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#7 Plattsburgh State (36-13)

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10

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#6 Rhode Island College (41-7)

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FIVE-RUN SEVENTH LEADS TO RIC’S DEMISE IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
Plattsburgh State Advances in, 10-3, Win

Providence, RI—Sixth-seeded Rhode Island College was eliminated from the NCAA Div. III Softball Tournament National Championship Round in a 10-3 loss to seventh-seeded Plattsburgh State on Saturday afternoon. Rhode Island College (41-7) sees its season come to an end as the Cardinals (36-13) advance in the loser’s bracket.

"We had a great season," Head Coach Maria Morin said after the game. "41-7 is so impressive. Our team never quit. They always played their hardest and we were very fortunate to have them at RIC. The end result isn’t what we wanted or hoped for, but now that we’ve got the experience, we’ll compete a little harder next time. I congratulate my team and coaching staff. I’m very proud of what they’ve done."

The Cardinals took the lead in the top of third as junior shortstop Kirby Davids (Brisbane, Australia) reached on a leadoff infield single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Freshman second baseman Amy Woo (Calgary, Alberta) laced a single through the left side of the infield to plate Davids. Junior center fielder Jen Nescio (Pasadena, MD) reached on an infield bunt single, then stole second to put runners on second and third. Sophomore right fielder Shannon Connors (Brockport, NY) belted a two-RBI double to right center field to put Plattsburgh State on top, 3-0. The Anchorwomen caught a break with one out as freshman left fielder Danielle Gjergji (Catskill, NY) popped out to shallow center field and RIC freshman center fielder Jackie Dube (Barrington, NH) gunned down Connors at the plate to end the frame.

The Anchorwomen got on the board in the bottom of the inning as junior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) laced a leadoff line drive home run over the right field fence to make the score, 3-1.

Plattsburgh State put two more across in the top of the fourth to make the score, 5-1. Freshman third baseman Stephanie Blood (Webster, NY) and junior first baseman Andrea Stupp (Bethlehem, NY) notched singles and were moved over to second and third, respectively, on a sacrifice bunt by Davids. With two down, Rhode Island College senior pitcher Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) got Woo to pop up to the pitching circle. While trying to catch the ball, RIC junior third baseman Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) and Lotti collided in front of the pitching circle, allowing the ball to drop to the ground and both runs to score.

In the bottom of the fourth, Rhode Island College freshman designated player Cassie Taverna (Bedford, MA) led off with a solo bomb (1) to center field for her first collegiate home run. Plattsburgh State junior starting pitcher Stephanie Zweig (West Nyack, NY) retired the next three batters to keep the score, 5-2.

Zweig was pulled after five innings of work for junior Jaclyn Leitze (Burnt Hills, NY). The Anchorwomen cut the deficit to two, plating one run in the bottom of the sixth. Senior catcher Kristyn Alexander (East Wareham, MA) led off with a double to left field and was lifted for freshman pinch runner Robyn Zemienieski (Old Saybrook, CT). Taverna reached on an error to put runners on first and third. Dube singled down the right field line to pull RIC within two runs, but Leitze retired the next three Anchorwomen she faced.

The Cardinals put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh, tagging RIC for five runs. Davids reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Woo plated Davids with an RBI double to left center field and the error bug bit RIC again as two additional miscues led to four additional runs, highlighted by a Gjergji two-RBI double.

Leitze slammed the door in the Anchorwomen’s final at-bat, retiring the side in order. She picked up the save (3), allowing one run on three hits, to go along with four strikeouts in three innings of work. Zweig allowed two runs on four hits in four innings of work to earn her 16th (16-7) win of the season.

Riley suffers the loss (29-5), allowing 10 runs, only six of which were earned, on 12 hits to go along with three strikeouts.

Lotti led RIC offensively, going 2-for-4 with one run scored, one RBI and one homer (3). Dube went 2-for-3 with one RBI.

The top of the order did the damage for the Cardinals as Woo, Nescio and Connors combined to go 7-for-11 with five runs scored, five RBI and two doubles. Connors went 2-for-4 with one run scored, one double and a game-high three RBI.

The Anchorwomen, who suffered their worst loss of the season to Wisconsin-Eau Claire (9-1 in five innings) yesterday, made 11 errors in two games at the National Championship Round.

The loss marks the final game in the careers of Rhode Island College seniors Riley and Alexander, who leave as two of the greatest players in program history. "This is something that is going to remain with me for the rest of my life," Alexander said. "This experience has been great. We could have snuck in one win, but just being here is a wonderful opportunity."

Riley added, "We’ve worked hard for four years and since I’ve started playing softball.   It’s been an amazing year. I’m so proud to call myself an Anchorwoman.  It’s an honor."

"Next year the team has to have the same focus, the same desire, to be here again," Alexander said. "I think with the experience, this year being our first time here, that they’ll take that with them and move on and keep working harder and harder. Now they know what to expect when they come to the big show."

-Complete box score to follow-