NCAA Division III Championship Tournament Central
BELTON, Texas – Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team capped its historic season in the 2023 NCAA Division III Softball Regional Championship with a pair of one-run games. The Cru edged Berry, 8-7, in a nailbiter at the end to keep their season alive. However, a 3-2 final to the Vikings in the winner-take-all game concluded UMHB’s magical year at home.
The Cru (35-14) was the visiting team in the first game on the day and pounced quickly with three runs in their first at bat. Taylor Holman clobbered a two-run home run in that frame. After Berry cut the gap to a run with scores in the third and fourth innings, it was the Cru that got the momentum back with three more runs in the fifth. This time it was a two-run homer by Julia Crofut. UMHB plated another pair of runs in the seventh, which proved crucial in this contest. The Vikings rallied with five runs in their last at bat and had the bases loaded with two outs. A shallow fly out to right field ended the drama and forced the if necessary game.
Taylor Holman was 3-for-4 (2 runs, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), while Bailey Eggleston had the other multi-hit game with two and an RBI and run.
The final game saw the Vikings break a scoreless game with two runs in the third via a home run. The Cru got two runs back in the home fourth thanks to singles by Eggleston and Blakely Niles. Berry took the lead in the seventh and would hold off UMHB in the bottom of the inning to win the Regional. The Cru started the inning with a single and walk, but a fielder’s choice got the lead runner at third and a double play ended the game.
Niles reached base all three times with a perfect 2-for-2 and walk. UMHB outhit Berry 7-6. Kami Flores threw the final 4.2 innings and had three strikeouts. Grason Long, Eggleston, and Holman were named on All-Regional Team.
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