ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla.--The Angelo State Rambelles battled the weather and the Florida Southern Moccasins and came out on top 2-1 in the 2004 NCAA Division II National Softball Tournament at the Seminole County Softball Complex Friday night.
The Rambelles (44-10) scratched single runs in the fifth and sixth innings off Moc starter Megan Brown (33-4).
In the fifth inning, The Belles loaded the bases with no outs on singles by Arin Spence and Alexis Wing and an error by FSC shortstop Jess Shepherd which allowed Michelle Hoffman to reach. Diana Faulkner drove in Spence with a ground out, but Brown shut the door after Wing was caught stealing on an abortive squeeze attempt and Stacy Broman grounded out.
In the sixth inning, Julia Monsivais led off with a single and Cat Moreno followed with a hit up the middle and was replaced by Sarah Woodman. After Jaime McGalliard walked to load the bases, Andrea Payan lifted an apparent sacrifice fly to score a run, but Montsivais was called out for leaving early. Spence plated the insurance run, beating out and infield single, with Woodman scoring all the way from second.
Florida Southern (52-7) cut the lead to Shepherd singled, but was erased on a fielder s choice by Stephanie Huber. After Katie Brandon came on to run for Huber, Ashley Alpizar drove her in with a base hit.
As the game moved the top of the seventh inning, a brief but intense rain shower halted action for 22 minutes.
Spence (21-5) picked up the win, going the distance and allowing one run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Brown took the loss for FSC, working five innings and allowing two runs on six hits and three walks, with four strikeouts. Stacey Bronson finished up the game for the Mocs, allowing two hits and two walks in two innings of work.