Express Shut Out By Nation's Top Team

Courtney Parr delivers a pitch as Lindsey Bandeen prepares defensively in the sixth inning of Friday's NJCAA Div. II National Tournament. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Huenefeld
Courtney Parr delivers a pitch as Lindsey Bandeen prepares defensively in the sixth inning of Friday's NJCAA Div. II National Tournament. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Huenefeld
Posted: May 20, 2011

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Normal, IL---The No. 8-ranked and No. 4 seeded Express softball team (41-4) lost to the No. 1-ranked and No. 1 seeded LSU-Eunice 6-0 moments ago in the winner's bracket semifinal of the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament.

It is the first time the Express has been shutout this season.

Owens had two prime chances to score. The first was in the first inning when they put runners on first and third after Ashleigh Whitacre (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio) doubled and Lindsey Bandeen (Springfield/Holland, Ohio) had an infield single. However, Allison Hausch (Bryan/Bryan, Ohio) struck out to end the threat.

In the fifth, Kelley Molloy (Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio) singled and reached second with one out. However, on a ball in the dirt, she tried to advance to third and was thrown out. Had she been on base, she would have scored when Michelle Hollister (Airport/Newport, Mich.) doubled a couple pitches later.

At that point, Owens was down 3-0. LSU seized further momentum and scored three in the bottom half to put the game away.

Jordan Ratliff (Summerfield/Petersburg, Mich.) started and went the first four plus innings to take the loss (19-3). Elizabeth Weber (Oak Harbor/Oak Harbor, Ohio) relieved her in the fifth and finished the inning. Courtney Parr (Margaretta/Castalia, Ohio) saw her first tournament action, and it was good as she held LSU scoreless in the sixth while allowing only a single.

Tina Schulz got the win for LSU-Eunice (54-10). She held the Express to five hits as Kristen Roznoski (Cardinal Stritch/Toledo, Ohio), Whitacre, Bandeen, Molloy, and Hollister got those hits.

LSU-Eunice advance to the winner's bracket final to take on Kankakee C.C. at 4 p.m.

The Express now fall into the loser's bracket and will take on East Central C.C. in approximately 20 minutes in the loser's bracket semifinal. Should Owens win, they will play at 9 a.m. tomorrow against the winner of Pasco Hernando C.C. and South Mountain C.C.