MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Top-seed Barry University (43-6) advanced to the NCAA Division II Softball South Regional Championship by edging third-seed Saint Leo (37-14) 1-0 in game 10 of the tournament.
Heading into the final frame, the Bucs had managed only one hit off Lion starter Ashley Urbanik (27-9). But Brittany Anderson led off with a single and went to second on an infield single by Cristina DeTagle. Ashley Likens then drove a double down the rightfield line to bring in Anderson with the game's only run. The Lions escaped further damage when DeTagle was struck in fair territory by a hard shot off the bat of Natalie Heeley.
Amber Jack (29-2) was stellar on the mound allowing only three hits to the potent Saint Leo offense. Jack proved to be extremely effective even though she only fanned one batter.
Heeley led the Bucs with two hits, after leading off the fourth inning with a single through the hole at short..
Urbanik (27-9) had a solid outing, allowing one run off of five hits with one strike out for Saint Leo, but was saddled with the loss.
April Slate, Amanda Patrick and Urbanik registered a hit each for the Lions.
The Buccaneers advance to the NCAA Division II Softball South Regional Championship Game, scheduled to take place at 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 10th. The Bucs opponent will be determined by the winner of game 13 at 1:30 pm which will pit Saint Leo against the winner of the Tampa/Alabama-Huntsville meeting which is scheduled for 11:00 am.
Barry 1, Saint Leo 0 (05/08/2008 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
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Barry................... 000 000 1 - 1 5 0 (43-6)
Saint Leo........... 000 000 0 - 0 3 2 (37-14)
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Pitchers: Barry - Amber Jack. Saint Leo - Ashley Urbanik.
Win-Amber Jack(29-2) Loss-Ashley Urbanik(27-9) T-1:48 A-216