Box Score DECATUR, Ala. - The 17th-ranked Trojan softball team (44-15) lost to No. 10 Shorter College (50-14) 3-1 in the first game of the eight-team, double-elimination Championship Bracket at the 30th Annual NAIA Softball National Tournament at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala.

Trevecca and Shorter are the only two none No. 1 Seeds to advance through pool play. Trevecca upset No. 2 Lee and Shorter eliminated No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene.  

The Championship Bracket determines the 2010 NAIA champion.

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In the top of the third Shorter broke through with a run on three hits. Hannah Strength singled and reached second on a Trojan throwing error. Tiffany Adams doubled down the left field line scoring Strength.

In the bottom of the fourth Trevecca scored a run on three hits. With two out Breanna Zeis singled up the middle. Melinda Patterson followed with a single down the right field line that advanced Zeis to third. Lauren Baker drove Zeis with a single to left. The teams would go to the top of the sixth tied 1-1.

In their half of the sixth inning the Eagles pulled ahead 2-1 with a run on two hits and a Trojan error. Starting pitcher Libby Munson singled to left to open the inning. Pinch runner Chelsea Blair advanced to second on a scrifice bunt by Elisabeth Barber. An out and a batter later Emily Clements singled and Blair advanced to third and then home on a wild throw by Trevecca, putting the Eagles up 2-1.

An inning later the Eagles pushed the lead to 3-1. Strength reached base again, this time with a walk. A wild pitch allowed Strength to advance to second base. Charlsie Broome delievered a sacrifice bunt that moved Strength to third. Tiffany Adams drove in Strength with a sacrific fly to center.

Coach Tyree tipped his hat to the Flames and his team, "Lee has a great team and were thinking about winning the National Championship. They have one of the best pitchers but we kept hanging in waiting for an opportunity and it paid off."

Tyree continued, "I"m so proud of our team that never allows the thought to creep in that it's over, until it's over."

"Kelsey Lantrip made a great bunt at the end but also had the home run before to tie the game up."

Lauren Baker (21-9) took the loss allowing seven hits, two runs, two walks while striking out five Eagles. Libby Munson (29-5) picked up the win with seven innings of work. Munson allowed five hits, a run, two walks while striking out five Trojans.

Brooke Brennan was 1-3 with a stolen base. Kelsey Lantrip was 0-2, but added to her Trevecca season record with two more walks.

Trevecca left six runners on base and committed a pair of errors.

Trevecca will face No. 6 Belhaven (Miss.) College (53-9) on Tuesday at Noon in an elimination game. The two teams played earlier this season. The Blazers handed the Trojans their second loss of the season 8-1 in Gulf Shores, Ala. at the Gulf Coast Invitational. Only North Alabama scored more runs in a game on the Trojans all season. UNA defeated Trevecca 11-6. Belhaven lost 4-2 to Simon Fraser in their Championship Bracket opener.

Coach Tyree says he's well aware of the Blazers potential, "Bellhaven on Tuesday is probably the best team we have played all year. Our team is ready for the challenge and will be ready to play. Our coaches have done such a great job preparing our players and we'll be ready tomorrow."

This is the second meeting for the two teams this season. Trevecca defeated Shorter College 7-1 on March 12 in Gulf Shores, Ala. at Gulf Coast Invitational. Shorter was ranked No. 12 at that point. Trevecca's Lauren Baker hit a 3-run home run and also improved to 7-0 with the win in the circle.