Bishop softball makes run in USAC Tourney, falls in semifinals

Burlington, NC - The 9th-seeded NC Wesleyan softball team made an impressive run in the 2009 USA South Conference Tournament over the weekend, winning four straight contests and coming within one game of a championship appearance. Unfortunately, the Bishops' season came to an end with a 6-0 loss to 2nd-seeded Shenandoah University in Sunday's semifinal match-up. Sophomore Alexis Gallop led the Bishops with a .429 batting average and four RBI en route to All-Tournament honors.

The Bishops did not get off to a good start in the tourney, suffering a 4-1 loss to #8 Averett in Friday's first game. Wesleyan, however, rebounded for a 10-2 victory over #6 Meredith on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Carla Pridgen was 2-for-4 with two RBI to pace the offense, while freshman hurler Ashley Driver picked up the win in the circle with a complete game three-hitter.

Saturday morning saw the Bishops knock off #7 Ferrum College by a 5-2 score as Wesleyan plated four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to doubles by Kate Braun and Payton Gordon, who was 3-for-3 in the contest. Junior Tiffany McCord (2-1) did the rest on the mound, giving up two runs on seven hits in the complete game effort.

NCWC once again avoided elimination in the 2:00 game with a 7-5 win over #4 Peace. Freshman Meredith Mills, who went 3-3 in the game, had a homerun and an RBI-double to pace the Bishop offense, while sophomore Kacie Brandes (1-1) earned her first on the season. She gave up four runs on five hits with four strikeouts before Brooke Davis entered in relief to close out the final two batters for a save.

Next up was a rematch with #8 Averett, and the Bishops got revenge with a 4-0 shutout to set up a Sunday morning semifinal versus Shenandoah. Wesleyan hurler Ashley Driver (5-10) tossed a complete game shutout, scattering six hits and striking out one. The Bishops got all the offense they would need with a two-run single by Gallop in the fourth.

The Hornets, however, were too much for the Bishops on Sunday morning as USAC Pitcher of the Year Katie Haskins and Rookie Pitcher of the Year Brooke Over combined for a 6-0 shutout.

The Battling Bishops' 2009 season comes to an end with a 13-27 overall record. Wesleyan will say farewell to seniors Whitney Moshier and Payton Gordon in the off-season. Both four-year starters, the pair helped the Bishops to two winning seasons (2006, 2007), two 20-win seasons (2006, 2007) and two USA South Tournament semifinal appearances during their careers (2006, 2009).
 

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