We talked on the blog about how the smallest of plays affect games, especially on the biggest stage. Well the Armstrong State softball squad experienced that again on Thursday - and this time on the winning side.
An RBI single that went just off the glove of Adelphi third baseman Breanna Martini's glove into shallow left field plated the only run of the game as the Pirates defeated the Panthers, 1-0, to keep playing at the DII Softball Championships. Armstrong State had plenty of opportunities for more runs - stranding 11 in the game, including two innings with the bases loaded - but the one run was all the Pirates would need, thanks to junior Jane Trzaska.
You can't say enough about the job Jane has done this postseason. Four times, head coach Ted Evans has given her the ball with the Pirates facing elimination, and four times she has come up with the win - this time she spun a two-hit shutout to keep Armstrong State's national championship hopes alive.
Speaking of national championships, both Armstrong State men's and women's tennis are back into the semifinals with eyes on the prize. The No. 2-ranked men downed NYIT, 5-1, to set up a showdown with top-ranked Saint Leo on Friday. The No. 3-ranked women beat Drury, 5-1, to advance and face a very familiar foe - Hawaii Pacific, who Armstrong State will face for the sixth time in the last seven NCAA DII Championships. The meeting will also be the third time in the national semifinals.
Both of tomorrow's tennis matches will take place at Metro State, which means they both will be on live video via NCAA.com. So tune in tomorrow to watch the Pirates try to advance to Championship Saturday.
But first - tune in later this evening for Armstrong State vs. Humboldt State as softball continues its dream of advancing to Championship Saturday!
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