Saturday, May 4, 2013

BILLING, Mont. – Taylor Bakos tossed a four-hitter and Tournament MVP Sam Munger had three hits to extend her hitting streak to 22 games as Saint Martin’s defeated Simon Fraser 6-1 to win its first GNAC softball title Saturday at Bjorgum Field.

Simon Fraser won Saturday’s first game 3-2 to force a final championship contest for the GNAC’s automatic berth in next week’s NCAA regionals.

Saint Martin’s battled through 10 consecutive losing seasons until Rick Noren, who is now in his third season as head coach, led SMU to a 33-18-1 record a year ago.  The Saints will take a 39-14 record into next week’s NCAA playoffs. 

“It’s good; they are just so happy to win something,” Noren said about his team.  “It’s been a tough ride for them the last few years.  It’s fun to see them come together and win something.”

Simon Fraser forced the extra game riding a two-run first-inning home run by Trisha Bouchard to an early 2-0 lead.  Bouchard then made it 3-0 in the third stealing home as Rosie Murphy swiped second.

The Saints got a run back in the fifth on a infield single by Joslyn Eugenio, then pulled to within one in the seventh on a home run by Megan Miller before starting pitcher Kelsie Hawkins re-entered the game to get the final three outs and preserve her 17th win of the season.

The second game, however, was a different story as SMU jumped on top early, scoring in the second on a lead off home run by Eugenio.  The Saints then tacked on three runs in the second on singles by Lacey McGladrey and Munger and a wild pitch.

Meanwhile Bakos (15-7) was in complete command not allowing a run until the fifth when Carly Lepoutre bunted for a base hit.

Munger finished the tournament with 10 hits in 16 at bats to raise her batting average to a league-best .434.  She also won two games in the circle, her 21st and 22nd of the season against seven losses.

Coincidentally her win total matches her hitting streak, which is the second longest in GNAC history.  The longest streak is 40 games by Danielle Monson of Central Washington during the 2010 season.

“It’s so impressive to see her do her job in all three areas – hitting, field and pitching,” Noren said about his shortstop/pitcher.

The Saints, who are ranked 22nd nationally and fifth in the latest West Region poll, will advance to one of the two four-team regionals. The NCAA will make that announcement Monday morning.