Williams Baptist College Eagles Softball Team Keeps Marching to Title

Courtesy Williams Baptist College Department of Athletics

Karisa Hendrix throws complete game for Williams Baptist College Eagles.

Columbus, Ga. – The Williams Baptist College Eagles softball squad continued its march in the 2013 NAIA National Championship as it beat third ranked Lee University 3-1 on Friday evening.  The game was played at R.G. Jones Field in Columbus, Ga.

Williams Baptist College senior Karisa Hendrix stumped the No. 1 hitting team in the NAIA, limiting them to five hits.  The flamethrower pitched a complete game, allowing one run.

“At first I was very nervous, but as the game went on, my confidence grew and grew and it really helped me get through the game.  This win means we get to keep playing,” said Hendrix.

“That is a quality team and Karisa was dealing and keeping the other team off-balance the whole night.  She is a special player who doesn’t get rattled easily,” said head coach Eric Newell.

Felicia Woodard flashed the leather in the bottom of the fourth inning with a fine running grab before coming to the plate with two runners on in the top of the fifth.   She smacked an infield single to the right side, scoring one runner and advanced to third on a throwing error allowing the second run to score.  Woodard would score on the next play when Lauren Sweeten placed a perfect bunt, giving the Lady Eagles a 3-0 lead.

“I thought she hit it over my head, but I was able to track it down.  We really started to connect hits in the fifth, I just tried to make contact and it worked out for us,” said Woodard.

“Felicia is irreplaceable.  She is a special person and a gamer.  She rises to the occasion.  She gets it done for us from the plate and defensively,” said Newell.

Williams, ranked sixth nationally, ended the game with six hits, all singles.  Woodard ended the game 2-for-3 with a run scored, as well as a run batted in.  Callie Brooks, Kirsten Gipson, Hayley Overbay, and Brittany Merritt accounted for the other WBC hits.

“I am very excited with this win. I feel like I am in a dream,” said Newell.

The win means the Lady Eagles will advance in the winner’s bracket of the championship round.  The team plays Spring Hill College of Alabama.  Spring Hill came in as the 10 seed and beat Auburn Montgomery, the seventh seed in the first game of the championship round and beat Lubbock Christian University on Saturday.

The two teams Monday, May 27, at 6 p.m. CDT in Columbus, Ga.  The Lady Eagles record is 45-7 on the season.