May 7, 2008

Orange Beach, Ala. - In the winner's bracket finale of the Region XIII tournament, the No. 7 Lady Hawks dropped their first game since April 2 to the fourth-ranked University of Mobile Lady Rams, 4-3.

Shorter took the early lead in the game in the top of the third inning. After a Monica West walk, three singles from Kandi Bruno, Libby Munson and Jessica Sanders put the Lady Hawks up 2-0. A run from Mobile in the bottom of the same inning gave Shorter a one-run advantage going into the fourth.

In the fourth inning, Becca Thomas reached on an error and later scored on an error to give Shorter an insurance run and the 3-1 lead.

The bottom of the sixth inning cost Shorter the ballgame. After Thomas struck out the first batter, two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases before Munson came in for relief. The first run reached home on a walk, and, after a fielder's choice, a single scored two more for the Lady Rams to give Mobile the 4-3 lead, and the victory.

Thomas pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four hits, three runs, and two walks while striking out three. Munson got the loss in relief, pitching for two-thirds an inning, with one hit, one run, and one walk.

Bruno finished the game 2-for-3 with a run, and West was 2-for-2 with a run and a walk.

Shorter will play William Carey tomorrow at 11 a.m., in the loser's bracket finale. The winner will advance to the championship game at 2 p.m., against the University of Mobile.