The Salina Journal

GULF SHORES, Ala. -- Ellen Black's three-run homer highlighted a four-run third-inning uprising as Brenau, Ga., defeated Bethany 7-1 in a Pool A game at the NAIA national softball tournament Thursday.

Bethany (44-8) plays No. 1-ranked Concordia, Calif., at 10:30 a.m. today and faces Talladega, Ala., at 1 p.m. Friday. Concordia (55-3) defeated Talladega 8-0 Thursday.

Brenau (40-14) scored first on Lindsey Duggan's solo homer in the top of the second, then took control in the third. After Brenau scored a run to make it 2-0, Black belted her homer to center field off of Bethany starter Jennifer Garcia, making it 5-0.

Brenau scored its final two runs in the fifth on three hits and a Bethany error.

Garcia (19-7) allowed three hits, walked one and had no strike outs in three innings. Hollind Englert allowed two runs on four hits over the final four innings. She struck out three and walked four.

"They're a pretty good hitting team, they made adjustments (at the plate) during the game," Bethany coach Janice Esses said of Brenau. "They capitalized on some (pitching) mistakes. Jenny missed a couple of spots and they took advantage. You can't do that against a good hitting team.

"Hollind came in and pitched well."

Bethany had just four hits and committed three errors.

"Usually our defense is our strong suit," Esses said. "We threw the ball around a little bit and fumbled the ball a little bit. It was not our best defensive game and not our best offensive game."

Brenau pitcher Jenny Shepard (15-5) went the distance, striking out five and walking two.

Bethany scored in the bottom of the seventh when Nicole Felker's single drove in Krista Copus. Copus had two hits in the game.