ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla.--The Angelo State Rambelles handed the Shippensburg Lady Raiders a 2-1 loss in the opening round of the 2004 NCAA Division II National Softball Tournament.
The Lady Raiders (46-5) struck first, scoring a single run in the top of the sixth inning. Beth Rudai led off the inning with a single and scored on a base hit by Mary McKee. But ASU's Claudia Lopez (23-5) worked out of a bases-loaded, one out jam by striking out Anna Corr and getting Jessica Miller to line out.
In the bottom of the inning, the Rambelles found an answer to Shippensburg's Kelly Tiesi (28-2). Alexis Wing singled with one out and stole second. Michelle Hoffman ripped a single to left, scoring Wing, and proceeded on to third as Raider left fielder Liz Corr made two errors on the play. Stacy Broman lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Hoffman and give ASU the lead.
Lopez earned the win, working seven innings and allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks. She struck out 12. Tiesi took the loss, going six innings, and allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk with 12 strikeouts.
The Rambelles will face the winner of the Kennesaw State/Florida Southern game at 6:30 pm on Friday. The Raiders face the KSU/FSC loser at 1:30 pm.