Decatur, AL - Two big innings by the Oklahoma City University Stars on Saturday were too much for the Simon Fraser University Clan softball team to overcome when play resumed on Sunday, as the Clan were eliminated from the 2009 NAIA National Championships with a 7-3 loss to the Stars. The Clan (20-13 overall) close the tournament with a 2-1 record, and finish second in Pool F behind undefeated OCU (3-0).


"Well, we won on Sunday, but unfortunately they won Saturday and had more runs on the board when all things were said and done," said SFU head coach Mike Renney of the loss. "I'm pleased we had taken [the delay] to come back and not roll over, we scored a run and had the tying run at the plate in the seventh inning; the game was far from a done deal and we gave it our all right until the very end."

Oklahoma City scored four runs in the top of the second and three more in the top of the third to take a commanding 7-0 lead. SFU was able to get two runs back in the bottom of the third inning when Meaghan Cumpstone (Saskatoon, SK) connected on a two-run double to right-centrefield that scored Megan Durrant (Richmond, B.C.) and Chrissy Caviglia (Surrey, B.C.). With the Clan trailing 7-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the game was delayed until Sunday afternoon due to severe thunderstorms.

When play resumed, SFU was able to generate one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Stefani Durrant (Richmond, B.C.) scored from second base following a double by Christine Barr (Trail, B.C.). SFU loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, however were unable to cash in any additional runs and the Stars held on for the 7-3 win.

"It's always a sad moment when the season ends because it means the departure of three seniors," added Renney. "We lose three outstanding contributors [Cumpstone, Barr and Marcie Bruder (Guelph, Ont)]. Meaghan leaving ends a nine-year era of a Cumpstone playing on our team with her older sister Erin playing from 2001 until 2004, and she finished her career with one of our top performances in this final game. Christine's departure will leave some big shoes to fill in our infield, and she was able to break out of a slump with an RBI single today. Marcie, in her last at-bat at SFU, was able to get a single in the bottom of the seventh inning to load the bases, and throughout her career battled injuries to get back on the field; all three will be missed."

Lily LaVelle earned the win on the hill for OCU, allowing two runs over three innings, while SFU's Jennifer Van Egdom (Surrey, B.C.) was dealt the loss, allowing four runs over one and a third innings pitched, before being relieved by Kylie Ellis (Aldergrove, B.C.), who finished out the game on the hill for the Clan.

"Kylie was outstanding in the game, even though she gave up three runs, we didn't play great defence in front of her, which accounted for runs five, six and seven," continued Renney. "Once our defence settled in she was able to keep one of the most potent offences in the NAIA in check."

OCU out hit SFU 11-to-5, while the Clan committed five errors in the game and left eight runners stranded.