OKLAHOMA CITY – Behind a quick offensive start and a solid performance in the circle by sophomore Lindsay Mapes, Adelphi defeated Central Missouri, 4-1 in game four of the 2015 NCAA Division II Championship, Thursday evening at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
Mapes went the distance, allowing a run on six hits with eight strikeouts and got out of two huge jams to earn the victory. She improved to 19-9 on the season.
Krista King paced the 10-hit Adelphi attack, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Jordan Catalano and Wink each chipped in with two hits apiece.
Carlie Rose homered and produced the only run for the Jennies (49-15). She was one of six UCM players in the lineup to record a hit.
The Panthers (49-15) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and did not look back. Jaclyn Binstock (pictured) roped a two-out, two-run double to the wall in left center, plating King and Brenna Martini with the first two runs of the game.
Adelphi added single runs in the third and fifth on RBI singles Victoria Wink and Megan Lewis, respectively. The Panthers did have a chance in the fourth to break the game wide open, but were unable to take advantage of a no-out bases loaded situation.
The Jennies put up a fight and had the tying run at the plate in the seventh, but Mapes got out of the jam to earn the victory. In the inning, junior Rose put UCM on the board with a one-out solo shot into the leftfield bleachers. Infield singles by Madison hood and Katie Giacone followed, allowing the Jennies to have the tying run reach the plate. Mapes got out of the jam for the second time get a groundout and flyout to secure the victory.
Before the seventh inning homer, the Jennies best chance to get on the board was in the bottom half of the fourth by loading the bases with no outs. However, Mapes regained her focus and struck out the next batter, induced a popup and grounder to end the frame.
Adelphi will move on to the winner’s bracket tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. CT and face Dixie Sate, a 1-0 victor over California (Pa.) in game three. Central Missouri heads to the elimination bracket on Saturday and will face the Vulcans at 2:00 p.m.
-- Photo courtesy of Richard T. Clifton
