Patriots slugging it out for World Series title

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – In their first game at the NCAA Div. III Softball World Series, the Patriots seemed to be rolling along smoothly.

That is, until the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Patriots gave up five runs in the inning to eventually drop a 5-1 decision to Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) in the opening round game.

Megan “Roo” Richardson hits a single in the Patriots’ opening game of the Div. III Softball World Series in Montclair, NJ. The Patriots fell to Gustavus Adolphus 5-1 and will play Ohio Northern University Saturday at 11 a.m. EST. Talon photo by Clay Ihlo

With a 1-0 lead, Patriots’ ace Stacy Shepherd came out looking for another quick inning in the sixth to add to her five solid innings she already pitched.

Immediately she gave up a lead-off double that Julie Smith had trouble fielding.

From there, Amanda Busby made a fielding error that led to another runner getting on base.

Shepherd then hit her next batter before giving up a bloop single to left field that scored two runners after Megan “Roo” Richardson overran the ball for the second error of the inning.

Gustavus managed to add another run on a sacrifice fly and then Kirsten Prunty capped off the inning with a two-run home run.

The Patriots could not rally going in the top of the seventh, ultimately losing their first World Series game.

Shepherd ended the day with her first loss of the season, giving up four runs in five innings of work, even though she started the sixth before Kelsey Ainsworth replaced her.

Gustavus’ Betsie Collins threw six innings of one-run ball to record her 13th win of the season.

The Patriots play an elimination game Saturday morning at 11 a.m. EST against Ohio Northern University (39-5) with the winner moving on and the loser going home.