XENIA, Ohio – With one swing, Shelby Andrews tied and gave top-seeded Trevecca Nazarene the lead for good to eventually edge No. 2 Cedarville in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship final on Saturday, 5-3.
Andrews’ two-run, two-out double in the bottom of the fifth capped a three-run frame as the Trojans (38-8 overall) rallied back against the Yellow Jackets (32-22 overall).
After serving as the hero with the walk-off RBI vs. Davis & Elkins in the bottom of the ninth yesterday, Andrews’ beautiful inside-out swing was on display again in another clutch situation.
For Andrews, a junior who has now hoisted the conference tournament trophy for three straight years, the chance for redemption from her last plate appearance was a golden opportunity.
“She (Cedarville’s Courtnie Spain) pitched a great game and she had me on edge,” Andrews said. “The at-bat before I struck out on two changeups so I knew coming in, I had to be on my toes for that. She threw me that outside pitch and I threw my bat at it.”
The Trojans, now three-time G-MAC softball champs, completed an unblemished 4-0 run through conference tournament bracket, beating No. 6 Salem International, No. 3 Kentucky Wesleyan and No. 4 Davis & Elkins, before toppling Cedarville.
Three-time G-MAC Coach of the Year Ben Tyree and his program are in serious consideration for an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Championship and the Trojans continued to strengthen their case.
TNU is currently ranked sixth in the Midwest Region rankings.
Cedarville gave the Trevecca Nazarene a scare after falling behind 2-0 through the first three innings as Jessica Palm lofted a two-run double down the right-field line to tie it up.
The next at-bat saw Danielle Wolgamot give CU a 3-2 advantage after driving in Palm from third.
TNU took advantage of two hit-by-pitch sequences and back-to-back walks issued in the third inning as Kelsey Kemp battled back down in the count down 0-2 to pick up an RBI on the bases-loaded walk.
Haley Fagan collected her 21st win in the circle, going the distance while picking up four more strikeouts. She went toe-to-toe with CU’s Spain, who was touched for four earned runs in the seven innings.
Mackenzie Leding doubled as part of a 2-for-3 afternoon to go with a run and RBI, Danielle Tyson had two hits leading off and Fagan chipped in with two hits and an RBI.